THE SHOCKING REASON JJ REDICK BENCHED DEANDRE AYTON FOR JAXSON HAYES
Jaxson Hayes shines as the Lakers stay perfect in the clutch! Discover how JJ Redick’s defensive tactics crushed the Grizzlies.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and guard Luka Doncic (77) were all smiles after beating the Memphis Grizzlies. Hayes had a big role late, stepping in for Deandre Ayton in the fourth quarter.
With just over six minutes left, Lakers coach JJ Redick put Ayton back in at center, subbing out Hayes, who’d started the fourth. But that move didn’t last long. Less than a minute later, Redick swapped Hayes back in and left him out there the rest of the way.
Good call. When Hayes checked back in, the Lakers led by just one, 111-110. From there, they ripped off a 10-2 run, shutting down the Grizzlies—Memphis shot just 1-for-5 and coughed up the ball three times in that stretch. Game over.
Afterwards, Redick got asked why he stuck with Hayes, who played 23 minutes off the bench—his second-longest stint this season. Redick didn’t overthink it: “He was playing better.”
Lakers’ Defense Closes the Door
This win bumped the Lakers to 21-11, and, honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time. They’d just lost four of their last five, so this could be the start of something better. The real story? The Lakers are now 11-0 in clutch games this season. That’s the secret sauce behind why they keep finding ways to win, and Redick, who doesn’t usually gush about defense, gave the credit there.
He said, “I don’t know what the updated numbers are, but our defense has been really good in the clutch. Down the stretch, once we got Jaxson back in, we executed a couple blitzes and got some turnovers.”
Numbers back it up. The Lakers rank No. 1 in clutch field-goal percentage allowed (just 34.1%), and they’re sixth in three-point percentage allowed (23.8%). They also lead the league in clutch defensive rating at 89.8. Redick pointed out how important it was to get the defense set in the halfcourt.
He said, “Just getting multiple stops in a row. I know they scored a bunch—20 fast-break points and 27 off our turnovers. In their early offense, they probably had 70 points. But when we set our defense, it was one of our better half-court games in a long time.”
Role Players Step Up Big
Redick also talked about the spark they got from Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart, who started with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura out. LaRavia dropped 21 points and grabbed nine boards. Smart added 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. With those guys playing so well, the Lakers have some decisions to make at the trade deadline about Reaves and Hachimura.
The energy just felt better with those guys out there.
“It’s massive. It can’t just be one guy,” Redick said. “When guys like Smart, Vando, Jake, and Jaxson really embrace their roles and play with that energy, it’s huge for us.
“It might sound weird, but them playing like that actually takes pressure off LeBron, Luka, and AR when he’s back. It’s not like we’re telling those guys not to work hard on defense, but when that group is crashing, running, and playing tough, it means everything.”
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
