TITLE: Redick says Lakers must ‘course-correct’ after lopsided defeat in Oklahoma City
SLUG: lakers-redick-course-correct-after-thunder-blowout
CONTENT:
Oklahoma City, Okla. — Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick called for immediate adjustments after his club was routed by the defending defensive-champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Paycom Center.
The 133-96 loss dropped Los Angeles to 8-4 overall and 1-2 on its five-game road trip. The Lakers had entered the contest at 8-3 despite a string of injuries, but they trailed from the opening minutes and never threatened.
Redick cites breakdowns on both ends
Speaking on Spectrum SportsNet, Redick said offensive struggles bled into defensive confusion:
“Sometimes when you’re not playing well offensively, it can affect what you’re trying to do defensively,” he explained. “There seemed to be more confusion on the defensive end than we anticipated. If I’ve got to say it nine times, then I’ll say it nine times. I’ll take ownership of that.”
Redick pointed to several specific lapses, including a failure to execute a “flood” coverage on an isolation by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a missed zone assignment coming out of a timeout. He added that Oklahoma City guards Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace disrupted Los Angeles’ offense with individual pressure, though the Lakers had prepared for the Thunder’s schemes.
Big-picture concern, immediate urgency
While the head coach said the overall record is no cause for alarm, he conceded the trip has been subpar.
“I don’t think it’s been a great road trip for us in terms of how we’ve played,” Redick said. He praised the second half of Sunday’s win at Charlotte but noted that blowout losses in Atlanta and Oklahoma City “are clearly who the group is right now, so we’ve got to course-correct.”
Los Angeles finishes the swing with a back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
Hachimura emphasizes defensive focus
Forward Rui Hachimura said he has put greater emphasis on defense this season, underscoring the team’s need for communication.
“Being in the right position to start and communicating as a team defense … that was the key, trying to be more focused this year, and I think it’s working,” Hachimura said.
How the Lakers respond in New Orleans and Milwaukee will offer the next glimpse of whether Redick’s call for a quick reset takes hold.
Source: LakersNation.com
