The Los Angeles Lakers dropped to 2-2 on the season after a 14-point defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, a game head coach JJ Redick said was defined by the club’s lack of available playmakers.
The matchup at Crypto.com Arena came less than 24 hours after the first leg of a back-to-back and without seven regulars: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero. Redick’s rotation was reduced to eight players, only one of whom—Austin Reaves—had prior experience running an NBA offense.
Reaves responded with a career-high 41 points in 39 minutes, but Portland still controlled the game. “It’s hard to run offense without ball handlers,” Redick said postgame. “There wasn’t another guy to bring the ball up, so it’s just circumstantial.”
Defense Holds, Offense Falters
Despite offensive struggles, Redick highlighted positives. “Our half-court defense was excellent; first-shot defense was excellent,” he noted, adding that he saw “a highly competitive spirit” from his short-handed roster.
Portland frequently cross-matched defensively, assigning Jrue Holiday to Reaves for long stretches. Redick said the Lakers aimed to use the center as a pressure release early in the third quarter but failed to execute that plan.
Help Could Arrive Soon
The Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday before visiting the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Redick expressed optimism that Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes—the only injured players considered day-to-day—could return against Minnesota, restoring both a backup center and a primary defender to the lineup.
Source: Lakers Nation
