Overview
- Redick explained his late-game choice with a terse “He was playing better,” keeping Hayes on the floor to finish a 128-121 victory over Memphis.
- Deandre Ayton logged 25 minutes with four points on 2-for-4 shooting, six rebounds and a minus-1, sitting during key fourth-quarter moments.
- Jaxson Hayes delivered 12 points, two steals and a block in 23 minutes, playing 11 fourth-quarter minutes and finishing plus-8.
- Los Angeles moved to 21-11 with the win, continuing a trend of trusting the more effective big in closing lineups.
- Recent coverage notes Ayton has rarely reached 10 field-goal attempts since LeBron James returned, with reports citing a strong Lakers record when he does, and fan/media speculation has surfaced about his role and future.