The Los Angeles Lakers leaned on forward Jarred Vanderbilt’s energy and defense to edge the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 14, 2025, at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, and head coach JJ Redick made a point to acknowledge the impact.
Vanderbilt, who had recently fallen out of Redick’s rotation because of offensive concerns, returned to action and posted seven points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block. His effort helped Los Angeles secure a win one game after the Suns had overpowered the Lakers with what Redick described as superior “energy and sheer will.”
Redick details communication with Vanderbilt
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet after the game, Redick outlined the weeks-long dialogue that preceded Vanderbilt’s return.
“We kept saying, ‘You’re gonna get more opportunities, just stay ready,’” Redick said. “He and I had a great conversation in Philly and a follow-up on Monday. I told him yesterday he was going to play. He was in the right headspace and he helped win us the game—full stop.”
The coach added that assistants Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks had also stayed in close contact with the 6-foot-9 wing while he was out of the lineup. “The weight of not playing is a lot for a player,” Redick noted, “and unfortunately you can’t play your entire roster every night. That’s just the reality of the NBA.”
Defensive boost may keep Vanderbilt on the floor
Redick has generally emphasized offensive spacing, but the Lakers’ recent defensive struggles persuaded him to use Vanderbilt as a disruptive presence. The move paid off, and Vanderbilt’s performance could earn him continued minutes as Los Angeles seeks consistency on that end of the court.
The forward previously said he was eager to help shore up the defense and handled his stint on the bench “with grace,” according to the team. He delivered on that promise against Phoenix, giving Redick another option as the Lakers navigate the remainder of the season.
Source: LakersNation.com
