{"id":680507,"date":"2026-03-26T17:48:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680507\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T17:48:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:48:34","slug":"how-a-trip-home-energized-jaxson-hayes-before-great-night-vs-pacers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/680507\/","title":{"rendered":"How a trip home energized Jaxson Hayes before \u2018great\u2019 night vs. Pacers"},"content":{"rendered":"

With Deandre Ayton out<\/a> for the Lakers\u2019 contest against the Pacers, the team needed Jaxson Hayes to start and help them finish this road trip with a win.<\/p>\n

Hayes did just that, playing one of his best games of the year<\/a>. He ended the night with 21 points and 10 rebounds. This was Hayes\u2019 first double-double of the season and the only instance where he grabbed 10-plus rebounds in a game this year.<\/p>\n

While getting a larger roll and wanting to win is motivation enough, an outside influence also gave Hayes an extra boost.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, wanted to close the trip on a win,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cBut, I mean, I grew up an hour and a half away, so my whole family is here\u2026So, I mean, I was just excited I got to play in front of my parents and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to just think of these players as just athletes who put on a jersey and perform. But, regardless of fame and fortune, they are regular people like the rest of us. They can get motivated, discouraged and inspired. Clearly, Hayes being around his family in ways he typically can\u2019t during the NBA season invigorated him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went back home with them after Detroit and then got a night at home, drove back up yesterday to Indy last night with my parents,\u201d Hayes said.<\/p>\n

Driving to Indy with your parents, like Hayes was heading to an AAU competition rather than an NBA game, had to be pretty cool.<\/p>\n

Hayes continued to discuss how great it was to connect with his parents before taking on the Pacers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cI got like a home-cooked breakfast for my mom. I woke up, I got to go check out some properties I\u2019m about to buy this summer. Just got to hang out with my dad all day. That\u2019s always fun. And then, drove up here with my mom and dad, got dinner with him. It was awesome. Best way to have the trip, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hayes\u2019 production speaks for itself. He was integral in the win, but what was especially impressive was his consistency. Through all four quarters, he was a ball of energy, driving LA forward. And with plenty of players tired from playing heavy minutes on the road, that level of energy was needed.<\/p>\n

\u201dIt starts with running the floor for him, in particular to start that third quarter,\u201d head coach JJ Redick said. \u201cHe just created a bunch of scoring opportunities for us. These guys, they know how dynamic he is as a roller and they\u2019re looking for him. I thought he did a great job of getting to the spots with pace and then, at times, playing through some contact as well. Just like a number of guys on our team, he ends up with two steals and two blocks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hayes won\u2019t always be able to visit home and get a reset, but it\u2019s great that he got to do this in this moment. This was undoubtedly a cool memory for him, and considering the Lakers typically visit Indiana once a year, he doesn\u2019t get this kind of opportunity often.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, he can build on this momentum and bring the joy he experienced in the Midwest back to Los Angeles. Because when he\u2019s smiling, running the floor and dunking emphatically, it benefits everyone. Hayes\u2019 energy is contagious, and when he\u2019s at the top of his game, it raises LA\u2019s potential to another level.<\/p>\n

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88<\/a> or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social<\/a>.<\/p>\n