Lakers' Jaxson Hayes drops huge Luka Doncic declaration after Suns clash

The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a 107-96 win over the Phoenix Suns at home on Sunday afternoon, snapping their four-game losing streak. Lakers center Jaxson Hayes praised star point guard Luka Doncic after the game.

“Man, that's the best point guard in the league so I trust he's going to find me every time I get open. My job is to get him open as well. It's like a relationship, you've both got to contribute something,” Hayes said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, by ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Doncic led all scorers with 33 points, adding 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals while shooting 13-of-14 from the free-throw line. Hayes had a solid showing himself, recording 19 points, six rebounds and three assists while shooting 8-of-10 from the field.

Doncic has been a phenomenal addition for the Lakers, particularly in the absence of LeBron James due to injury.

The Lakers return to action on Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Are the Lakers figuring things out?

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a roller coaster of a season, but are trending in the right direction.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick thinks the team is on its way to playing at the level it needs to defensively.

“I think it starts there,” Redick said via USA Today. “I do believe we need to be whole for that to happen. Just the nature of our roster, it works when everybody's out there and I think that's one thing.”

Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the Lakers' best defenders, is confident the team will keep things going in the right direction.

“So we just got to continue to bring energy,” Redick said. “Luka, AR and, when LeBron get back, they going to have the ball in their hand most of the time. And we just got to be able to give energy, be the energy givers, make up shots and play defense.”