The Lakers’ loss to the Nets was disappointing, even with some key players sidelined. It’s tough to take when a game feels like it should have been theirs to win.
More concerning than the loss itself was the way the team played. Austin Reaves struggled, while Luka Dončić seemed more focused on the referees than on his shots. The Lakers also allowed the Nets to grab an astonishing 16 offensive rebounds. That’s a significant red flag.
Winning in the NBA is no small feat. So when you drop a match you could have conquered, it’s frustrating. Coach JJ Redick was clearly upset after the game, voicing his displeasure about the team’s mindset.
“We were taking shortcuts,” Redick said. “They scored 20 points off our mistakes and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds. We weren’t paying attention. We said no ‘dare’ shots, yet they still hit uncontested threes.”
He continued, reflecting on basic execution: “To be a good team, you have to do the tough work. We struggled to even pass and set up our plays. You can’t run ball screens from half court and expect good results.”
Redick hit the nail on the head. The Lakers’ lack of serious play led to poor performance, illustrated by that three-point loss. If you point to missing players as an excuse, Redick won’t agree. He believes that being short-handed doesn’t justify the lack of teamwork and communication on the floor.
“Tonight was a low-level communication game for us,” he said, highlighting the numerous open shots and defensive lapses. Great teams talk and work together. The Lakers, on the other hand, totaled 17 turnovers and missed opportunities.
With only 19 games left in the season, every match is critical. The Lakers need to step up, especially against teams they should beat.
Despite the tough situation, the team was in control of how they executed their game plan. This was a match they could have won, and now they face back-to-back challenges against the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. If they don’t address these issues, they risk losing both games, regardless of who is on the court.
Follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
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