JJ Redick Credits Luka Doncic’s Off-Court Commitment for Lakers’ 53-Win Season
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick says Luka Doncic’s dedication to building relationships away from the court was a driving force behind the team’s 2025-26 success.
Speaking at his end-of-season press conference, Redick noted that Doncic “made a commitment very early on, going all the way back to last offseason, with the off-court relationship development part of being a leader.” The coach added that the 27-year-old star became more vocal during games and film sessions, helping teammates “play hard with you and play alongside you.”
Doncic’s first full year in Los Angeles ended with an All-NBA First Team selection, a league-leading 53 wins—the franchise’s highest total since 2010-11—and Redick’s second straight 50-win campaign. The guard/forward suffered a season-ending hamstring injury on April 2, yet the Lakers advanced past the opening playoff round before falling in a sweep to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Slovenian star’s performance marked a sharp turnaround from 2024-25, when he arrived out of shape, injured his hamstring, was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers, and saw Los Angeles bow out in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This season, Doncic finished fourth in MVP voting, captured the scoring title, and, according to Redick, delivered “a Tier 1 season relative to the rest of the league” as both player and leader.
With a roster expected to be further tailored to his strengths in 2026-27, Doncic is set to continue the leadership approach that impressed his head coach and helped restore the Lakers’ winning ways.
Source: LakersNation.com
