Boom! Boom! 100% Shooting Night—Lakers Feeding the NBA’s Best Defensive Center…

The Los Angeles Lakers are officially in championship mode.

With a dominant 136-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games, solidifying their hold on second place in the Western Conference.

This midseason turnaround has been nothing short of spectacular. Before the trade deadline, nobody expected the Lakers to be serious contenders. But after acquiring Luka Dončić, everything changed.

Now, with LeBron James and Dončić running the show, the Lakers are a legitimate threat to win it all.

And while the two superstar playmakers deserve all the credit in the world, no one benefited more from their presence than Jaxson Hayes—who just delivered a perfect performance.

In just 24 minutes of action, Hayes went 8-for-8 from the field, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds on 100% shooting.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

According to NBA analytics, Hayes has been the best defensive center in the league since February 1st, leading all big men in defensive efficiency (102.5) among those playing at least 20 minutes per game.

Yes, you read that right.

The Lakers, once criticized for lacking a dominant interior presence, have now developed the most efficient defensive big man in the NBA.

And it’s all thanks to the LeBron-Dončić effect.

LeBron & Luka: The Perfect Playmaking Duo

When the Lakers shocked the world by landing Luka Dončić at the trade deadline, the immediate question was:

Can two ball-dominant stars coexist?

The answer? Absolutely.

LeBron and Luka have meshed seamlessly, proving to be a lethal combination of IQ, skill, and playmaking.

Against the Pelicans, LeBron dropped 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Dončić stuffed the stat sheet with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 15 assists.

With two elite playmakers setting the table, Lakers’ role players have been feasting—and no one has eaten better than Jaxson Hayes.

Jaxson Hayes: From Role Player to Game-Changer

Jaxson Hayes was never supposed to be this important.

The 8th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft was once seen as a raw, athletic big with potential, but never truly put it all together.

But now? He’s thriving in a simplified role.

• Playing alongside LeBron and Luka, Hayes doesn’t have to create his own shot.
• His job? Set screens, roll hard, and finish everything at the rim.
• And defensively? Protect the paint and be a lob threat in transition.

It sounds simple, but the impact is massive.

In just under 19 minutes per game this season, Hayes is shooting a ridiculous 71.8% from the field, making him one of the most efficient bigs in the league.

And over the past few weeks? He’s been an absolute defensive monster.

His rim protection, mobility, and rebounding have made him a key piece in the Lakers' resurgence.

And let’s not forget—this is a team that once had Christian Wood and Anthony Davis as their primary interior defenders.

Now, it’s Hayes stepping up in a way nobody saw coming.

What Could Have Been: The Christian Wood Dilemma

Of course, while Hayes has been thriving, there’s another storyline Lakers fans can’t ignore—the Christian Wood saga.

Once believed to be the ideal big man for this team, Wood was supposed to bring offensive versatility and rebounding to the Lakers’ frontcourt.

Instead, things didn’t work out, and Wood ended up getting shipped off before the trade deadline.

And ironically? He’s now playing some of the best basketball of his career.

Over his last four games, Wood has been averaging 18.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 61.7% from the field.

If only things had worked out differently, the Lakers could have had both Wood and Hayes dominating the paint.

But that’s all in the past.

The focus now is on what’s ahead—and what’s ahead is a legitimate championship opportunity.

The Lakers Are in the Title Conversation—For Real This Time

Seven straight wins.

Second in the West.

The best playmaking duo in basketball.

A revitalized defense anchored by Jaxson Hayes.

And, of course, LeBron James chasing ring No. 5.

At 40 years old, LeBron has already cemented himself as a living legend, but winning another championship? That would elevate his legacy to an entirely different level.

And let’s not forget—LeBron just became the first player in NBA history to score 50,000 career points.

This is unprecedented.

We may never see another player defy Father Time the way LeBron has.

So now, the question is simple:

Can the Lakers complete this storybook run and win it all?

With LeBron, Luka, and a revitalized supporting cast, they just might.