Lakers News: Austin Reaves Praises Jaxson Hayes After Filling In For Anthony Davis

Reaves: Hayes 'Came In and Did a Great Job'

With Anthony Davis sidelined due to a foot injury, the Los Angeles Lakers turned to Jaxson Hayes to fill the void in their frontcourt. Hayes, who was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in a trade deadline deal, made his Lakers debut on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Despite the Lakers' 113-112 loss, Hayes impressed in his first game with the team. The 22-year-old center finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 24 minutes of action. After the game, Austin Reaves praised Hayes for his performance.

'He's a Great Fit for Us'

"He came in and did a great job," Reaves said of Hayes. "He's a great fit for us. He's a big body who can rebound and defend, and he can also score the basketball. I think he's going to be a great addition to our team."

Hayes' performance was particularly encouraging given the Lakers' struggles in the paint this season. Davis has been the team's only reliable big man, and his absence has left a major hole in their defense and rebounding. Hayes' ability to fill in for Davis and provide a similar level of production is a major boost for the Lakers.

Hayes Impresses in Lakers Debut

Hayes' debut performance was also a positive sign for his own future with the Lakers. The former No. 8 overall pick has struggled to find his footing in the NBA, but he showed flashes of his potential against the 76ers.

With Davis expected to miss multiple games due to his injury, Hayes will have the opportunity to earn more minutes and prove his worth to the Lakers. If he can continue to perform at a high level, he could become a valuable piece of the team's rotation.