Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes Highlights Bench Energy as Team Prepares for Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES – Lakers center Jaxson Hayes spoke about the impact of his team’s bench unit ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

During the preseason, the Lakers’ bench, featuring Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Marcus Smart, excelled in their final game against the Golden State Warriors. However, injuries have limited their playing time since the start of the regular season. Smart missed the last two games with a quad injury, while Hayes returned to action Wednesday night after sitting out three games due to an undisclosed injury.

Vanderbilt was moved to the starting lineup to mitigate injury concerns. As the team regains their health, Hayes emphasized the critical role that the bench plays in shifting the game’s momentum. “It’s just a lot of energy,” Hayes said after practice on October 19. “Our job is to come in and change the pace of the game and get everyone right.”

The Lakers, aiming for a strong game against Memphis, will have all three bench players available for their first NBA Cup outing. Alongside Hayes, Smart noted before returning that the bench could greatly contribute to the team’s performance. “We understand our role,” Smart said. “Bringing energy from the bench is important.”

The Lakers will return home after this two-game road trip for a matchup against the Miami Heat on November 2. When they faced the Timberwolves, they showcased their depth, but head coach JJ Redick stressed that consistency is key moving forward.

<p“Every game has its challenges,” Redick stated. “But if our bench keeps bringing that energy, we’ll be in good shape.”

As the Lakers gear up for their contest against the Grizzlies, Hayes and his fellow bench members are prepared to deliver the boost that the team needs.