After the Los Angeles Lakers landed Luka Doncic in that stunning early February trade, Jaxson Hayes was their only true center who was on a standard contract. While he often made a concerted effort to help them out, his limitations were clear, and they were usually at a disadvantage in the middle.
He averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.5 minutes a game during the regular season, and he provided Doncic with a lob threat. However, in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was practically invisible, as he played just 7.8 minutes a game throughout the series.
The Lakers will undoubtedly make a strong effort to secure a clear upgrade at the center position. Hayes will be a free agent this summer, but there may be a good chance he sticks around, especially considering the Lakers’ lack of trade assets that they could use to acquire multiple big men capable of playing the center position.
The Thunder’s active defense and efficient offense returned to form Monday night in a 128-126 thriller over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. With the win, Oklahoma City bounced back from a blowout loss in Game 3 and secures a 3-1 series lead, one win away from a berth in the NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder effort with a career playoff-high 40 points. Anthony Edwards managed just 16 points for the Timberwolves. The Thunder will have a chance to clinch the series at home in Game 5 Wednesday night.
Oklahoma City set the tone early while forcing seven turnovers en route to a 37-30 lead at the first-quarter break. Edwards didn’t attempt his first field goal until 35.1 seconds remained in the quarter. It was a sign of things to come as Edwards and Julius Randle faded with a chance to tie the series.
Minnesota kept in striking distance, thanks to an offense that was effective when it wasn’t giving the ball away. The Timberwolves shot 51.2% from the field and 18-of-41 (43.9%) from 3 for the game.
Strong shooting from Nickeil Alexander-Walker (23 points, 5 of 8 from 3) and Donte DiVincenzo (21 points, 5 of 8 from 3) off the bench kept the Timberwolves in the game through the fourth quarter. But a resilient Thunder offense and 21 Timberwolves turnovers ultimately proved too much for Minnesota to overcome.
Minnesota faced multiple chances to take the lead in a game Oklahoma City controlled throughout. A DiVincenzo 3 capped an 11-2 third-quarter run to tie the game at 79-79. But as they did each time the Timberwolves threatened, the Thunder responded, this time with an 8-0 run to re-seize control.
