In his first year as an NBA head coach, JJ Redick has already made a noticeable impact on the Los Angeles Lakers. But despite his new approach, the Sacramento Kings managed to challenge the Lakers until LeBron James took over, turning the game around in just three minutes of the fourth quarter. After the game, Redick praised LeBron’s game-changing performance on Saturday night.
In a span of exactly 2:59, LeBron scored 16 points, helping the Lakers seize the lead and secure a 131-127 win over the Kings, extending their record to 3-0. During the post-game press conference, Redick lauded LeBron’s brilliance during that crucial stretch.
After highlighting Dalton Knetch‘s three-pointer that opened the fourth quarter for the Lakers, Redick shifted his focus to LeBron’s impact: “Just to get that performance to start the fourth from LeBron, I mean, what can you say? We’ve all been very fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he’s able to keep doing it, it’s just — it’s actually insane. It’s actually insane.”
From the sidelines, Redick watched as LeBron reminded everyone why he remains one of the NBA‘s top players. In addition to his 16 points in the fourth quarter, LeBron grabbed 5 defensive rebounds and dished out 6 assists, showcasing his all-around dominance on the floor.
LeBron reaches a historic milestone
During Game 3 of the Lakers’ season against the Sacramento Kings, LeBron James reached yet another milestone in his storied career. He finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, adding another triple-double to his impressive résumé.
According to StatMamba, at age 39, LeBron became the first player in NBA history to record a double-double, and a triple-double, in their 22nd season. While Vince Carter is the only other player to have played 22 seasons, achieving such stats at this stage of a career is truly remarkable.
JJ Redick’s message to the team after 3-0 start
The Lakers have started strong, winning their first three games — a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2010-11 season, which ended with an NBA championship. However, there are areas that Coach Redick knows need improvement: the Lakers recorded 19 turnovers, and at times, the Kings’ physicality tested their resolve.
While the Lakers have made significant strides, Redick emphasized what he believes is a critical element for the team’s success. “We executed really well in the fourth to get 44 points in a quarter, it was great. I would just add, the last two games, last night and tonight’s, Basketball is a game of imperfect. Our guys, whether some bad stretches, some bad breaks, the resiliency that he have built this week I believe it’s a very good foundation for our group,” he said.
Looking to build on their winning streak, the Lakers will face a familiar opponent in their next game. After back-to-back victories, they head to Phoenix to take on Kevin Durant’s Suns. In their first matchup, the Lakers emerged victorious, 123-116.