"We haven't seen somebody like that in a long time, right? [With] his ability. But [being] willing to put your body there, take a charge, take an elbow to the face, box him out, go vertical, is definitely something that you got to be willing to do, and not everybody's willing to do it. And that's the difference in the game."
"Center Jaxson Hayes was up to the task. He absorbed a Williamson elbow in the fourth quarter and ended up in the front row of the stands holding his jaw. But the knock was worth it for the offensive foul that helped maintain the Lakers' 14-0 run that quickly erased the Pelicans' eight-point lead."
The Lakers confronted a major defensive test against the New Orleans Pelicans' physical forwards, particularly Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey. Williamson, healthy for the first time in two seasons, dominated with 24 points on efficient shooting. Lakers defenders, including Austin Reaves, acknowledged the difficulty of defending against Williamson's combination of size, athleticism, and physicality. Marcus Smart emphasized the necessity of defenders being willing to absorb contact and take charges. Jaxson Hayes emerged as a key contributor, absorbing a Williamson elbow while drawing an offensive foul that sparked a crucial 14-0 Lakers run. Hayes delivered eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks in nearly 23 minutes off the bench, showcasing improved touch around the rim and defensive consistency.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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