Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the team’s recent play has been “rewarding” after Los Angeles stretched its winning streak to nine games with a 113-110 victory over the Orlando Magic on March 21, 2026, at Kia Center.
The win cemented the Lakers’ hold on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference as the regular season enters its final weeks. Speaking on Spectrum SportsNet, Redick credited the group’s progress since the All-Star break.
“Every stage of the season is exhausting for different reasons,” Redick said. “This week has been intense in terms of preparation and travel. We’ve got two more games on this trip and then finally a two-day break — our first since Dec. 27 — which gives us a chance to practice. It’s felt rewarding to see the growth, but there’s still a lot we can improve.”
Defense Fuels Turnaround
Redick pointed to the second-half defense in Orlando as evidence of the strides being made. The Lakers had struggled with consistency earlier in the year, but the coach noted the team now plays with the urgency needed to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
LeBron Embraces Smaller Role
Redick also praised LeBron James for embracing a new role as the club’s third scoring option behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. The coach called the 41-year-old’s willingness to sacrifice “a major factor” in the late-season surge.
Los Angeles continues its road swing with games in Miami and Atlanta before returning to Crypto.com Arena. With the postseason approaching, Redick said maintaining the current pace remains the coaching staff’s primary focus.
Source: LakersNation.com
