Redick Frustrated as Lakers Struggle Without LeBron in Loss to Nets

Posted : 11 March 2025

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed his frustration following the team's 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, despite being without key players, including LeBron James. Redick dismissed injuries as an excuse, emphasizing that the team failed to meet its standards, particularly in terms of communication and execution.

The Lakers initially built a strong lead, holding Brooklyn to just 16 points in the first quarter, but their performance deteriorated as the game progressed. Redick criticized his players for taking shortcuts, stating that winning in the NBA requires effort and discipline, which he felt was lacking.

Luka Doncic took responsibility for the team's struggles, agreeing with Redick's assessment of poor communication. Despite recording a triple-double with 22 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds, Doncic struggled with efficiency, shooting just 8-for-26 from the field. The Nets consistently pressured him with double teams, a tactic he has faced throughout his career, but he admitted he did not handle it well this time.

Austin Reaves, stepping up as a primary playmaker in James' absence, also had difficulties, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds but shooting an inefficient 3-for-14 from the field. Reaves acknowledged his poor performance, stating that he needed to be better to help the team succeed.

Despite the loss, the Lakers saw strong contributions from role players. Gabe Vincent made the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup, leading the team with 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including six three-pointers.

Rookie Dalton Knecht added 19 points, while Jordan Goodwin had a career-best night off the bench, scoring 17 points and making five three-pointers. Doncic acknowledged their efforts but admitted he should have done more to support them. With injuries continuing to impact the roster, he emphasized the importance of adopting a "next-man-up" mentality to stay competitive.

The Lakers' back-to-back defeats, combined with the Memphis Grizzlies' recent success, have tightened the Western Conference standings, with Los Angeles now just a half-game ahead of Memphis for third place. With reports indicating that James could be sidelined for at least one to two weeks, the challenges will only intensify.

The Lakers face a grueling schedule, playing six games in eight days, starting with a difficult road trip against Milwaukee and Denver. Redick intends to hold a rare mid-season practice before their next game, hoping to correct their issues before entering this demanding stretch.

Redick Frustrated as Lakers Struggle Without LeBron in Loss to Nets

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