The Los Angeles Lakers capped a grueling four-game trip with a 128-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 15 at Fiserv Forum, pushing their record to 10-4. Head coach JJ Redick used a lyric from Jay-Z’s 1998 track “A Week Ago” to remind his players how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA.
“It was all good just a week ago,” Redick told the team, referencing the moment the Lakers were 7-2 while practicing in Atlanta. Three straight lopsided defeats followed, but back-to-back wins against the New Orleans Pelicans and Bucks restored confidence.
Redick credited his staff for preparing a short-handed roster on minimal rest. The team landed in Milwaukee at 3:00 a.m. and held its only walkthrough 40 minutes before tipoff. “Coach Ty, Scotty, Greg, Drew Seifert—everyone who worked on the scout—created clarity for our guys, and they executed,” he said.
The first-year coach also highlighted the benefits of expanded roles created by injuries and illnesses. He pointed to rookie Nick Smith, who drew isolation plays against Portland’s wing defenders earlier in the trip, as an example of players gaining “a reference point” for when the roster is whole.
Los Angeles used 24 different starting lineups last season, and Redick expects similar adjustments in 2025-26. “Soft-tissue injuries and illnesses are part of the NBA,” he noted, adding that the team’s “togetherness and intent” remain strong despite the constant changes.
Deandre Ayton, acquired in an offseason trade, called the 10-4 start “exciting” after contributing 21 points and 13 rebounds against Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Lakers return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Source: Lakers Nation
