Luka Doncic Offers to Pay Jaxson Hayes’ Fine For Having His Back During Altercation With Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn was ejected after shoving Luka Doncic while also attempting a wild swing at Jaxson Hayes during Lakers vs. Clippers.

Luka Doncic Offers to Pay Jaxson Hayes’ Fine For Having His Back During Altercation With Kris Dunn

Luka Doncic (Left and Jaxson Hayes (Right) (image credits - Firstsportz)

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Barring missing a triple-double by just one rebound, it was a near perfect night for Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers as they defeated their city-rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, 135-118 in the NBA Cup on Tuesday at the Crypto.com arena. Doncic led the team with 43 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists as the Lakers climbed to second in the Western Conference standings only behind defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It was another sensational performance for the 26-year-old as he continues to make a case for his first league MVP against the likes of Nikola Jokic and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Doncic broke the Lakers record for most points in the first quarter with 24. It was the fifth straight win for the Lakers as they improve their record to 13-4 and 3-0 since the return of LeBron James, who missed their first 14 games of the season.

Towards the end of the fourth quarter, a brawl broke out between Doncic and Clippers guard Kris Dunn which resulted in Doncic’s teammate, Jaxson Hayes to come to his teammate’s rescue. After the end of the match, Doncic spoke about the incident at the post-game interview:

Everybody got each others back on this team so I appreciate him. I’ll pay his fine for sure but that just shows what kind of team we are.

Lakers vs. Clippers ends with a brawl

With around 3:33 left to play in the fourth quarter, there was a collision between Doncic and Dunn. The Clippers cut the lead to 10 points after Ivica Zubac scored from a Dunn assist, the two guards collided with each other and Doncic fell to the floor.

Doncic immediately got up and confronted Dunn and the tempers flared when the Clippers guard took a swing at Doncic. Lakers center Hayes stepped in for his teammate and confronted Dunn which turned into a brawl, leading to the Clippers player hitting him in the face.

Following the brawl, Hayes was given one technical foul while Dunn was ejected as he was given two technical fouls. The sequence helped the Lakers extend their lead as they shot a technical free throw and were awarded possession of the basketball.

The Lakers trio are 3-0

Doncic and Reaves formed a formidable backcourt and held fort as the Lakers were 10-4 till the return of James, who had been ruled out since preseason.

lakers trio
Austin Reaves (Left), LeBron James (middle) and Luka Doncic (Right) (Image credits – Dallas Hoops Journal)

After consecutive wins against the Jazz, the Lakers had their first test with James against the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard back into the squad. The trio combined to score 99 points with Doncic scoring 43, Reaves with 31 and James scoring 25 points in a comprehensive victory.

There were doubts on how James would fit and integrate himself into the team without disrupting the team’s chemistry. But those doubts have been put to bed for the moment as the Lakers have gone 3-0 with James in the lineup. James, 40, is playing in an unprecedented 23rd season in the NBA. A feat no one has achieved before. This Lakers team is Doncic’s team as the franchise prepare themselves for the post-James era.

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