The Los Angeles Lakers know that they need to capitalize on being the upper seed against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coach JJ Redick and his squad entered this NBA Playoffs game with a do-it-all mentality, including Jaxson Hayes. The former Texas Longhorns star was not giving up buckets easily.
When someone jumps at every opportunity to prevent shots from going into the rim, there needs to be some sacrifices. Jaxson Hayes is used to this despite having to face a raging Anthony Edwards, who went up for a dunk.
The result? Well, the former Texas star and now Lakers center got welcomed to his Kodak moment. Fans who were watching the NBA Playoffs went berserk.
ANTHONY EDWARDS ALL OVER JAXSON HAYES
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 23, 2025
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/R8P5zlv1UW
Statements like "Jaxson Hayes just got violated by Ant-Man" and "OMG ANT JUS PUNCHED ON JAXSON HAYES!!" ran amok online.
Some even argued that the Timberwolves star should have gotten a free throw alongside the highlight, "Ant just two-handed flush all over Jaxson Hayes. Definitely should have been an and-1. The replay looks even nastier."
Others were just questioning why the Lakers center even attempted to block Edwards, "Jaxson Hayes, why’d you even jump with Ant?"
Hayes has not been performing up to par with expectations in this Lakers' NBA Playoffs run. With five minutes remaining in their Game 2 clash against the Timberwolves, the Texas alum has only produced two points while grabbing a single rebound.
Getting dunked on only made his image worse to Lakers and NBA fans alike.
"All I ever said was Luka will make Jaxson Hayes' life easier, and Jaxson is good enough for it to happen. None of the stupid stuff Jaxson does surprises me," a member of the LA-based team's fanbase said.
A majority of fans are just worried for JJ Redick's frontcourt, "Alex Len isn't good… Jaxson Hayes isn't good… so who is driving this Lakers center bus?"
Will the former Longhorns big man flip a switch to make a bigger impact for the Lakers in the NBA Playoffs, or will this moment be what he'll be remembered for?
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