JJ Redick Says Lakers ‘Didn’t Match Phoenix’s Physicality’ in 125-108 Defeat
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered Monday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns riding a seven-game winning streak, but left Crypto.com Arena with a 125-108 loss that head coach JJ Redick attributed to a lack of effort and focus.
“If you don’t play hard against that team, you’re going to get exposed,” Redick told reporters after the game. He said the Lakers repeatedly failed to defend in transition and went under ball screens despite Phoenix shooting well from three-point range. “It’s like the Monstars taking over people you’ve grown to coach,” he added, referencing the movie “Space Jam.”
The game was the second night of a back-to-back for Los Angeles, which fell to 15-5 on the season. Redick acknowledged possible fatigue — “maybe there is brain fog from three in four nights” — but stressed that mental errors such as “silly turnovers” were the bigger issue.
Los Angeles committed 21 turnovers that led to 32 Suns points. Luka Dončić, who scored a game-high 38 points, accounted for nine of those giveaways and accepted blame afterward. “The basketball gods reward you and they also punish you,” Redick said. “The moments when we had a chance to be rewarded, we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.”
Redick indicated every aspect of the team would be reviewed, including “rotations, schemes, all that stuff,” before a three-game road trip against teams with winning records.
Source: LakersNation.com
