JJ Redick gets frustrated with reporter after Lakers' loss to Timberwolves

JJ Redick fell short in his first season as an NBA head coach. The responsibility of leading the Los Angeles Lakers back to the NBA Finals came to an end after a 103–96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena. In the aftermath, widespread opinions emerged about the team’s playoff performance.

As expected with a tough playoff exit, fans and analysts quickly pointed fingers. Some criticized LeBron James for failing to deliver in the first-round series. Others praised Anthony Edwards for his breakout postseason showing. Many also questioned whether Redick’s inexperience contributed to the Lakers’ early elimination.

While there’s no definitive answer as to who or what led to the Lakers‘ downfall, Redick faced the media after the loss and became visibly frustrated during a postgame press conference. The tension spiked when a reporter questioned whether he relies enough on his assistants for late-game substitutions.

The reporter asked if Redick would lean more on his staff for fourth-quarter decisions. The head coach didn’t hide his irritation. “Are you saying that because I’m inexperienced and that was an inexperienced decision I made?” Redick replied. “You think I don’t talk to my assistants about substitutions every single timeout? That’s a weird assumption.”

Jaxon Hayes reacts to JJ Redick’s late-game decisions

Tensions rose during the postgame press conference in Los Angeles as Jaxon Hayes, who remained on the bench during the Lakers’ recent loss to the Timberwolves, shared his thoughts on JJ Redick’s substitution strategy in the fourth quarter.

see also

Lakers out of the 2024–25 NBA playoffs: Is LeBron James retiring?

“They told me just to stay ready. They were going to try some other things out, and I respect the coaches’ decisions,” Hayes told reporters after the game. His candid remarks sparked debate among fans, many of whom criticized Redick’s rotation choices in the final two games of the series.

Redick reflects on Lakers’ elimination and looks ahead

Following the Lakers’ disappointing loss to Minnesota, Redick addressed the media to share his thoughts on the team’s performance and what lies ahead. With the offseason just beginning, the first-year head coach made it clear he’s committed to improvement.

“We tried to make it work with what we had and came up short. I know I can get better… and I will get better,” Redick said. While Lakers fans were left frustrated by another early exit, Timberwolves supporters are celebrating a hard-fought win as their team continues its push toward the NBA Finals.