La Lakers head coach JJ Redick decided to pivot quickly during Game 4 amidst the lack of team size.
Mark Williams’ decision to withdraw trade is a short term that undermines the LA Lakers as the team lacks starting centers.
Jaxson Hayes plays in that position, but he’s outperformed completely during his NBA playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After Game 3, JJ Redick admitted to looking into the Lakers’ options, but also explained that there are no other realistic options.
During Game 4 against the Timberwolves, JJ Redick answered the question with his actions.
JJ Redick named Jaxson Hayes as the starter. It didn’t last long. Hayes committed two fouls in four minutes and was removed from the spinning.
Hayes stayed on the bench, and his final stat line was read at 2-1-1 at night.
This was a damaging accusation of Jaxson Hayes’ role in this series, and JJ Redick quickly lost patience.
Dorian Finney Smith played the most time to replace Jackson Hayes. This included appearing as a starter at the beginning of the second half, the moment the Lakers seized the initiative.
The Lakers began the third quarter 11-0, chasing 61-58 on a halftime break.
At the end of the third, the Lakers increased 94-84. Turns the game around with Hayes not playing for a minute during that span.
JJ Redick didn’t make one change during the third time and maintained a five-person rotation throughout the third quarter.
And that’s when despair really began. The Lakers also kept the same five until the fourth quarter.
Minnesota took over the match for the fourth time, winning the contest 116-113.
- LeBron James: 46
- Luka Doncic: 46
- Rui Hachimura: 41
- Dorian Finney Smith: 41
- Austin Reeves: 31
- Gabe Vincent: 13
- Jared Vanderbilt: 7
- Jordan Goodwin: 7
- Jaxson Hayes: 4
Even if this was a favor for the Lakers, this is not a sustainable way to win a basketball game, and the roster clearly has no ability to win a championship.
3-1, the Lakers must pull off the unlikely turnaround to advance in the Western Conference semi-finals.