Los Angeles, Mar. 5, 2026 — With the NBA postseason opening on Apr. 18, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick acknowledged Friday that other Western Conference clubs appear to be maneuvering for a matchup against his short-handed team.
Speaking at Crypto.com Arena before the Lakers’ win over the Phoenix Suns, Redick addressed speculation that opponents prefer facing Los Angeles, which is expected to begin the playoffs without injured starters Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
“I’m sure everyone wants to play us — let’s get that out there,” Redick said. “We’ve seen some teams rest their entire lineup. We can’t be concerned with that. We have to figure out the formula and the belief for this group to be successful.”
Injuries Reshape Lakers’ Rotation
Doncic and Reaves are projected to miss some or all of the opening round, forcing Redick to rework his rotation. The coach said he is searching for “nine players that will fight,” adding that the Lakers must adopt a scrappier identity to compensate for the absences.
Seeding Picture Narrows
After Friday’s games, the playoff bracket became clearer ahead of Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Lakers have secured home-court advantage in the first round and cannot fall below the No. 4 seed, though they could still climb as high as third. Their opponent will be either the Houston Rockets or the Minnesota Timberwolves, both of whom would open the series at Crypto.com Arena.
Accountability Resonates With Ayton
Redick’s direct approach has also struck a chord with center Deandre Ayton, who said he appreciates the coach’s willingness to call players out publicly. Redick, hired last offseason with no previous head-coaching experience, has emphasized accountability while attempting to steady a roster that is limping into the postseason.
The Lakers conclude the regular season on Sunday before turning their attention to the April 18 playoff opener.
Source: LakersNation.com
