When a player on the New Orleans Pelicans is involved in a posterizing dunk, it often involves either Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram. But young center Jaxson Hayes has had his share of monster dunks of his own, and he converted an explosive dunk on Sunday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets.
Watch out, PJ Dozier:
JAXSON IS BACK AT IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/6QcbzPXsny
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 21, 2021
Nickeil Alexander-Walker began with possession of the ball as Hayes gave a quick screen on Facundo Campazzo. After setting the screen, Hayes rolled to the basket, where Alexander-Walker delivered a perfect pass to the young center. Hayes proceeded to go up strong to the basket to dunk all over Dozier, who made the bold decision to block the dunk. Besides getting the two points from the dunk, Hayes would draw the foul on Dozier, netting him three points for the Pelicans.
Throughout the regular season, Hayes hasn't had a consistent role with Steven Adams being acquired via trade in the offseason. Hayes has suited up in 31 games this season and has started in just one of them. In his first 30 games of the season, Hayes averaged only 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds while getting 13.3 minutes per game.
When the Pelicans took Hayes with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, they took him with the idea that he'd provide them a perfect center to go with Williamson. While Hayes has yet to show consistency in his young professional career, his athleticism and energy could be enough to begin earning him minutes moving forward.
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