[embedded content]
Jaxson Hayes said the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff approach against the Houston Rockets starts with his own energy, physicality and attention to detail. The Lakers center spoke Tuesday, April 14 ahead of Game 1 of the first-round series on Saturday, April 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena.
“My job, I jump a lot and I run a lot and so it’s hard for me to rest something like that,” Hayes said while discussing his foot. “Feeling a lot better… getting those days off was very much needed. Very helpful.”
Hayes, who averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 66 games this season, said the Lakers’ prep work has put the physical battle at the center of the series plan. “Just come in, be more aggressive, and just be more physical,” he said. “Another very physical and aggressive team. So, just try to be more physical and more aggressive, you know, and just take care of the ball.”
He pointed directly to Houston’s rebounding strength as a key concern. “I mean, Houston’s, I think, one of the best offensive rebounding teams in like the past 20 years or something,” Hayes said. “So, just making sure we’re ready for that.”
The Lakers big-man rotation will matter in a series where second-chance points can swing games. Hayes said he and Deandre Ayton are prepared to handle that load. “I think it’ll be a big factor. I know I’m ready. I know DA’s ready.”
Hayes also looked back at the team’s box-out drills, which Redick emphasized in practice. “Definitely college for sure,” Hayes said. “Them college days with them Texas bigs, you know, coaches throw it off the back where you got to go smack somebody.”
Asked where he can impact the game against Houston, Hayes kept the answer simple. “Just with my energy,” he said. “I know I can impact the game with my energy, just running, getting rebounds, boxing guys out.”
That includes specific attention to Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists this season. “Sengun’s a great player,” Hayes said. “He’s been developing great over the past few years… just really locking in on him and his game and just being prepared.”
Hayes also made clear he never expected to miss the series. “I was going to play no matter what. Yeah. No, I wasn’t worried about that. I was if I was hurting so I’d be playing. If I wasn’t hurting, I’d be playing.”
He closed by praising coach JJ Redick’s second season at the helm. “He’s just a great offensive mind,” Hayes said. “He’s one of my closest friends when we were teammates… that’s my guy at the end of the day.”
