EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2025 — Three days into training camp, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick finished practice with a punishing series of full-court sprints, underscoring his offseason order for the roster to report in “championship shape.”
The directive resonated with 26-year-old star Luka Doncic, who arrived noticeably leaner after a summer of rigorous workouts and strict nutrition. “It’s not just physical shape, it’s mental shape, too,” Doncic said. “Everybody’s in great shape. Everybody’s running a lot, so it’s been great so far.”
Running to the limit
To close Thursday’s session, players sprinted six lengths of the court in 34 seconds, rested briefly, ran 10 lengths in 60 seconds, rested again, then completed another six-length dash in 34 seconds. Redick joined the team for the final leg. “I just ran the last six, and I’m good,” the second-year coach said, still catching his breath.
Redick evaluates conditioning through three lenses: sprinting back on defense, playing with offensive pace (including crashing the boards and retreating), and overall physicality. “If those things are being done at a really high level, we’re in shape,” he explained.
Locker-room buy-in
Guard Gabe Vincent welcomed the intense approach. “I told JJ a week or two ago, ‘If we all hate you, but we all hate you collectively, that’s great,’” Vincent said with a laugh. “No one wants to run at the end of a long practice, but we know the goal and we all embraced it.”
Injury report
Several key players sat out Thursday and will miss Friday’s preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, California. LeBron James (nerve irritation in his glute), Marcus Smart (left Achilles tendinopathy) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee swelling) were held out. Center Maxi Kleber is also sidelined for a few days after a quad injury on the first day of camp.
Managing minutes
Redick said he will use “short bursts” in the preseason opener, avoiding stretches of eight to 10 consecutive minutes. He plans to monitor the workloads of Doncic, who played in EuroBasket this summer, and Austin Reaves, who has logged heavy practice minutes.
The Lakers posted a 50-win season last year but exited in the first round after five games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Redick hopes improved conditioning can propel the club deeper into the postseason.
Source: ESPN
