Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick faces the final five games of the regular season without his two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Both guards were ruled out for the rest of the regular schedule—and possibly longer—after sustaining injuries early in April.
Speaking Tuesday, Redick outlined immediate tactical changes. “We’re obviously going to have to play a little bit differently,” he said. “There’s enough in our playbook to run things through LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton while we wait on Austin and Marcus Smart.”
Expanded rotation on the way
With Reaves (left oblique) and Smart both listed as day-to-day ball-handling options, Redick expects greater responsibility for younger guards. Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht are slated for elevated minutes beginning Wednesday. “When three guys—Luka, AR, LeBron—normally log 34 to 38 minutes, it’s tough to keep a nine-man rotation,” Redick noted. “We’ll probably go 10 or 11 deep—all hands on deck.”
Pursuit of the No. 3 seed remains
Despite the setbacks, the second-year coach reiterated the club’s objectives: secure the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and advance past the first playoff round. “Our mission hasn’t changed,” Redick said. “The staff and players are going after that three seed, and we’re going to try to win a playoff series.”
Doncic’s award eligibility
Doncic, who delivered a historic offensive month in March, finished the season with 64 appearances—one shy of the NBA’s 65-game threshold for postseason awards. Agent Bill Duffy released a statement indicating the camp is exploring avenues for the 25-year-old to remain eligible, though no further details were provided.
Los Angeles enters the stretch run shorthanded, leaning on veterans and untested reserves alike as the postseason approaches.
Source: LakersNation.com
