Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick called for calm in the locker room after the team suffered yet another lopsided loss, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Playing short-handed without starters Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers fell by double figures for the 15th time this season, dropping to 24-16 overall. The defeat continued a slide that began in December and has carried into the new year.
“It’s normal to feel beaten down after a 16-point loss,” Redick told Spectrum SportsNet. “But coaches, staff, and especially the players all have to stay level-headed.”
Los Angeles opened the 2025-26 campaign strongly but has struggled to generate consistent energy and execution on both ends of the floor. Injuries have forced Redick to juggle lineups, and Friday’s matchup in Portland resembled an uphill battle from the start.
The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena for a back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors before entering a demanding stretch of games. Redick said he plans to adjust daily based on how players are feeling and emphasized the need to keep the group engaged and confident as the schedule intensifies.
Source: LakersNation.com
