LeBron Backs Hayes, Ayton After Heated Luka–Dunn Moment

The Lakers walked away with another big win, but one of the most talked-about moments happened during a brief dust-up on the court. When Luka Dončić got into a tense exchange with Kris Dunn during the NBA Cup game against the Clippers, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes quickly stepped in. Hayes pushed Dunn and got a technical foul, but nobody on the team was upset about it.

LeBron James actually liked what he saw. He said this is the kind of team culture the Lakers want—big guys protecting the smaller guards and everyone sticking together. “I know Luka appreciates it. Jaxson is one of our big guys who looks out for everybody. It was great,” LeBron said. Dončić agreed and even said he would pay Hayes’ fine for the technical because he appreciated the support.

LeBron also added that this moment did not make anything new in the locker room. “We’re a very close group. It was super cool to see our guys stand up for one another,” he added.

Since LeBron returned to the lineup, the Lakers have looked much stronger. They have won all three games with him back, and over that stretch, they have one of the best offensive ratings in the league. They are outscoring opponents by 10 points per game, showing how well things are clicking. It’s exactly the kind of chemistry head coach JJ Redick has been trying to build.

Luka, meanwhile, wasn’t bothered by the scuffle at all. He said he actually enjoys these moments. “I ain’t afraid of anybody. Sometimes the game gets physical. There’s trash talk. I love that stuff,” he said. With his long history against the Clippers, the fire was already there.

Luka started the game hot, scoring 24 points in the first quarter. He finished with 43 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds, almost getting another triple-double. The Lakers also shot nearly 45% from three, something Redick had been hoping to see improve.

With a 13–4 record, the Lakers are now second in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team chemistry looks strong, Luka is putting up huge numbers, and the Lakers are starting to look like real title contenders early in the season.

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