According to Daniel Starkand of LakersNation, JJ Redick revealed that Doncic has increased his movement but is still not ready. “JJ Redick says Luka Doncic has increased his movement in on-court drills but has not yet started 1-on-1 action.” This suggests that his return could come within the first three games of the series against OKC.

Doncic’s return will still have to wait, likely coming in the next series if they advance, but while the Doncic update is not an encouraging one, having Reaves back should be enough to help the Lakers avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 lead.

The numbers of Doncic

Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds in his first full season in Los Angeles, making his absence one of the most significant injury situations in the entire playoffs. The fact that the Lakers have managed to take a 3-1 series lead without him shows how deep and talented this roster is.

Without Doncic and Reaves for much of this NBA series, LeBron James carried the load. At the same time, there has been a lot of credit given to the importance of Marcus Smart’s arrival, who has shown a very high defensive level, and the growth of Luke Kennard.

The return of Reaves

The positive news for Los Angeles is that Austin Reaves has a chance to play in Game 5 against the Rockets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Reaves has been out since April 2, dealing with a Grade 2 left oblique strain that initially carried a four to six week timetable.

He was unable to play in Games 3 or 4, but his potential return for a closeout game on Wednesday would give the Lakers’ offense a significant boost. Reaves put together a strong season despite his health issues, averaging a career high 23.3 points along with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field.

“I didn’t receive a satisfactory explanation on Adou,” Redick told the media. “I think James [Williams] owed me that. After reviewing the clip, it’s still unclear to me. Regarding DA, he’s got such a kind nature. That wasn’t dirty or intentional…I don’t believe DA would ever act maliciously.”

Adou Thiero and Deandre Ayton were both ejected by James Williams, the lead official in the Lakers vs. Rockets Game 4. LeBron James also weighed in, delivering a strong reaction to the events of Sunday night.

The Lakers must now regroup and be decisive in Game 5, as they are just one win away from securing a spot in the Western Conference semifinals. Meanwhile, the Rockets view this as an opportunity to stage a comeback and win the series dramatically.

Ayton’s comments on his ejection

Explaining the incident with Alperen Sengun, Deandre Ayton addressed his ejection when speaking to the media:

“We’re both sweaty guys. I just slipped off his shoulder… I know it looked questionable on camera, but I’m not a dirty player,“ Ayton clarified about the situation, which appeared questionable in the replay.

Redick on Game 4’s challenges

In addition to discussing the controversial ejections, Redick commented on the Lakers’ performance against the Rockets. “The Rockets have had a top-10 defense all season. Without our two leading scorers, it’s obviously difficult to generate offense,” Redick noted about Sunday’s performance.

As anticipation builds over Austin Reaves’ potential return for Game 5, as he enters the final phase of recovery, the Lakers have a few days to prepare for the crucial matchup.

“We’re going to have all hands on deck for this series. He’s got to be ready,” Redick told reporters. “I think Bronny has improved a lot, and he’s earned our trust. I’m a believer in the jump shot, and he’s improved immensely on the defensive end, specifically with his body positioning.”

With the spotlight firmly on the father-son duo of Bronny and LeBron James—whom Rockets coach Ime Udoka remains unfazed by—the Lakers face the daunting task of opening the series without stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined with injuries.

While optimism remains that Doncic could return near Game 3, Redick is under no illusions about the difficulty of this matchup. Houston has surged throughout the season, emerging as a powerhouse led by veteran superstar Kevin Durant.

Bronny’s impact on the Lakers’ rotation

Despite a slow start to the regular season, Bronny displayed newfound confidence over the final 10 games, averaging 5.6 points in 15.3 minutes per contest.

Beyond the box score, he has excelled at setting screens and maintaining defensive leverage, transforming into the Lakers‘ primary “energy sub” tasked with harassing opposing ball-handlers. It is this defensive tenacity that Redick has lauded most throughout the second half of the year.

With Reaves and Doncic currently in recovery, Redick has shown significant faith in the 21-year-old. That trust was rewarded in April when Bronny flashed his potential against the Utah Jazz, tallying 11 points and four assists while shooting a blistering 75% from beyond the arc.

Lakers’ projected Game 1 starters vs. Rockets

In the absence of Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers will look to their depth to keep their title hopes alive. The following lineup represents Redick’s likely pivot as Los Angeles aims to prove they remain championship contenders by defeating the Rockets.

This is the projected lineup for the Lakers in Game 1:

• PG Marcus Smart
• SG Bronny James
• SF Rui Hachimura
• PF LeBron James
• C Deandre Ayton

Following Lakers practice on Monday, Redick reaffirmed that LeBron James’ current injury status is day to day heading into their game against the Timberwolves. The team continue to monitor his condition as they prepare for the upcoming matchup.

“LeBron was out at practice today. He was obviously present in film,” Redick said. “Everybody else was a full participant. Nothing live today except the stay ready game.”

The play where James’ elbow injury occurred came late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers star went up for a shot around the rim that was challenged by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. James hit the floor hard and no foul was called. He was forced to exit the game momentarily, but he eventually returned.

The influence of LeBron this season

This season, James has appeared in 44 games while averaging a little over 33 minutes per contest. He has averaged 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.1 steals, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three-point line and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line.

In the hours leading up to the Lakers’ win against the Indiana Pacers last Friday, he was ruled out. James was initially listed as questionable for the team’s game against the New York Knicks on Sunday, then changed to a game-time decision before ultimately being ruled out. The Lakers have not yet released their official injury report for the Timberwolves game.

Meanwhile, the Lakers will have to rely on the play of Luka Doncic, who has been performing at a very high level. However, his production alone has not been enough to keep the entire team afloat, particularly with the widely criticized and underwhelming performance of DeAndre Ayton, who was expected to help address the defensive and interior issues the Lakers had last NBA season but has so far been a major disappointment.

James made sure to praise Doncic during his postgame media availability, labeling him as one of the NBA’s elite quarterbacks. Early in the first quarter, Doncic delivered a half-court pass that found James in stride, a sequence that helped establish the offensive rhythm the Lakers maintained throughout the night.

“One of the best quarterbacks, and I’m a pretty good receiver when it comes to that,” James said. “It’s my job not to let the defense disrupt it or steal the ball. He put it right on target and made it a lot easier for me.”

Doncic finished the night with 34 points, while James added 31, as the duo combined for 65 points. Doncic also led the Lakers with eight assists, repeatedly creating advantages with his vision and decision-making, which James highlighted as a key factor in the victory.

The chemistry between the two stars continued to stand out, especially in transition and early offense. Their ability to read defenses and capitalize on mismatches allowed the Lakers to control long stretches of the game, even when Memphis attempted to close the gap late.

JJ Redick’s concerns about the offense

Despite the win, Redick made it clear that he was not fully satisfied with the Lakers’ offensive structure. Speaking after the game, he pointed to issues with organization, noting that several plays were either not executed properly or not run at all, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“I don’t know what else to do. It’s happening so consistently right now,” Redick said. “I chalk it up to the holidays.” His comments reflected ongoing frustration, even as the Lakers snapped a rough stretch.

The Lakers had dropped four of their previous six NBA games before the win over the Grizzlies, and Redick acknowledged that injuries and lineup instability had contributed to communication breakdowns. He referenced a recent situation in which a rotation player was unfamiliar with a basic offensive concept during live action, underscoring the learning curve the team still faced.

“We had a guy the other day who hasn’t played a lot and didn’t know what a flood was in the middle of a game,” Redick said. “When we’re not healthy, we clearly have room to grow in that area.” While the victory provided momentum, Redick’s comments suggested that refinement, not results alone, remained the Lakers’ priority moving forward.

Following their victory over the Utah Jazz, Redick addressed the media with a candid assessment regarding his players’ confidence in their shooting abilities. “I told the guys this after the game: We are literally one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now. I don’t think that’s who we are. We’ve got to make shots and we’ve got to shoot them with confidence,” he emphasized.

Redick’s self-criticism underscores his commitment to elevating the team, as both the front office and the fan base hold aspirations of returning the Lakers to their championship form seen in the 2019-20 season.

With the return of LeBron James and his synergy with Luka Doncic, Redick is tasked with refining strategies to maintain the fight for top positions in the Western Conference and secure a swift playoff entry this season.

Redick reflects on his coaching experience

Though his initial tenure as head coach hasn’t been seamless, Redick is determined to demonstrate his capability to lead the Lakers effectively in this regular season. When asked about the pressures of his new position, he remarked on the aging effects of the role.

“I mean, I had a lot of gray hairs when I started this job. I have more now. But also, I think you go through a rapid phase of aging right around the time you turn 40, so I probably timed this wrong,” Redick humorously noted.

Redick’s insights on Keyonte George

Although the Lakers triumphed against the Jazz, Redick addressed the impact of a standout player: Keyonte George. The Utah star was pivotal on Sunday, and Redick did not shy away from admiring his performance when speaking to the media.

“I look at him long-term as a guy who can score at all three levels because of his handle, his creativity, and his shot creation,” Redick expressed. This perspective emphasizes the importance for the Lakers to continuously refine their tactics to enhance performance as the season progresses.

The Lakers may be one of the most explosive offensive teams in the league, but Redick made it clear on Thursday that they are still far from reaching their true ceiling. After another sharp practice, Redick praised his group’s scoring ability while highlighting one glaring issue that continues to hold them back.

“We are No. 1 or No. 2 in shot quality, No. 1 in points per shot, No. 2 in field goal percentage, but we are last in turnover percentage,” Redick said, via Silver Screen and Roll. “It is the difference between having a, whatever we are, 12th offense and a top-four offense if we are just league average in turnovers.”

Despite their elite efficiency numbers, turnovers remain the Achilles’ heel for Los Angeles. Redick noted that the Lakers regularly put themselves in strong offensive positions, but careless decisions and rushed passes are preventing them from maximizing their scoring output.

Redick explains what needs to improve

Redick emphasized that the Lakers excel in nearly every offensive action, from pick-and-rolls to dribble handoffs. The team consistently generates high-quality looks and converts at an efficient rate, which only makes their turnover issue more frustrating. In Redick’s view, the problem is not related to scheme or talent—it is strictly about discipline and decision-making.

“We are top ten in every single action in terms of efficiency, whether it is on ball, off ball, dribble handoffs, pick and rolls, or isos. It does not matter. We are top ten in every action. We are just literally turning the ball over too much.”

As a top-five turnover team at 15.9 per game, the Lakers clearly have room to grow, and Redick is honing in on that weakness as the NBA season moves through mid-November. If Los Angeles can clean up its ball security, the group will be positioned for a highly successful campaign.

The Lakers have the offensive tools to overwhelm any opponent—especially now with the return of LeBron James—but unlocking that full potential will require more consistency. Redick has pinpointed the flaw that is keeping them from entering the elite tier, and now it is on the players to respond.

The Lakers began the season with a 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors, a game overshadowed by concerns over Doncic and Reaves, who both finished with apparent injuries. Doncic raised alarms after needing extra treatment on his right hip post-game, while Reaves suffered an ankle tweak. Against this backdrop, coach JJ Redick addressed the status of both players after Thursday’s practice.

“Luka was a full participant, Austin was a modified participant,” Redick told reporters, via ClutchPoints. “He [Austin] kind of tweaked his ankle. Yesterday was no live so he was able to do everything. Today he did everything but live. It’s not really a thing where I can say he’s going to be out a couple games or he’s going to play tomorrow. It’s simple, literally how he feels tomorrow. I know Austin, I’m gonna expect him to play”.

Losing either player would be a massive setback for the Lakers, who are already relying heavily on the duo with LeBron James sidelined due to sciatica. James is expected to miss three to four weeks, potentially sidelining him until mid-November.

Despite the loss, both Doncic and Reaves put up elite performances to shoulder the scoring load: Doncic finished with a stellar 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, while Reaves added 26 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Redick rips persistent third-quarter woes

Beyond the injuries, Redick focused his post-game criticism on a persistent, structural problem: the team’s abysmal third-quarter performance. The Lakers entered halftime trailing the Warriors by only one point but saw their deficit balloon to 11 points by the end of the third period. Redick pointed out this trend has plagued the team since last season, carrying through the preseason.

“We continue to be a terrible third-quarter team,” Redick said. “That was last year. That was the preseason. We have to rethink some things. It is a two-way thing with the guys. They need to be ready to play after halftime”.

Reaves echoed his coach’s frustration, putting the responsibility squarely on the players to correct the flaw. “Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve had a problem with third quarters. We just have to figure out a way to come out with more energy. JJ has already talked about it. That’s on us players, not the coaches. They give us the answers, but we didn’t execute,” he told reporters.

“It’s hard to forget about LeBron. The reality is when you’re focused on the group that you have, you’ve got to make that group work,” Redick stated regarding LeBron, who is currently sidelined with a sciatica injury, leaving his return timeline uncertain for this month or the next.

Redick further emphasized LeBron’s significance to the team, explaining how his absence was felt on the court. “I’ll be honest with you, I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions we couldn’t score against their zone. It’d be great to have LeBron just to throw it to in the high post,“ Redick remarked.

Given this scenario, it appears that even with Luka Doncic performing at a high level and the new additions acclimating to Redick’s game plan, the Lakers‘ true potential remains hindered without LeBron on the court.

Redick’s insights into the Lakers’ performance

Despite a valiant effort to stage a comeback, the Los Angeles Lakers faltered after the third quarter, a recurring issue that has plagued the team since last season, as noted by Redick.

“The trend I see is that we continue to struggle in the third quarter,” Redick shared with the media, expressing concerns about the Lakers’ performance. As this issue persists, the fan base is becoming increasingly anxious about the team’s prospects this season.

Redick discusses the Lakers’ Opening Night defeat

The head coach was questioned about whether the team experienced difficulties against the Warriors and if the opponents contributed to the Lakers’ loss on Opening Night.

“The fault wasn’t with Golden State; it was entirely on us,” Redick admitted to the media, accepting responsibility for the franchise’s defeat. The Warriors, led by a formidable trio in Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, executed effectively in the first matchup of the season.

Playing in the preseason, Flagg has been adjusting to the NBA level. Against the Lakers on Wednesday, he played 28 minutes, scoring 13 points with two rebounds and three assists. Lakers head coach JJ Redick was asked about Flagg’s potential on the court and comparisons to other players, but he quickly dismissed them.

“He doesn’t really remind me of anybody. I know the Grant Hill comparisons are getting thrown out a lot right now. Cooper is his own special player. His defensive instincts and playmaking ability far exceed most 18-year-olds. He’s a worker. And I expect him to develop into a really good shooter. Those are the two things that just stand out right away. He has such a feel for the game… His defensive skills and playmaking really stand out,” Redick said.

Flagg has often been compared to former Pistons forward Grant Hill due to their similar size and defensive versatility. Hill could guard multiple positions and excel both on and off the ball. Flagg has defended nearly every position, and his height makes him a key factor in rim protection.

Redick sees a connection between Flagg and Hill

Redick, like Flagg and Hill, is a Duke Blue Devils legend. Flagg and Redick are two of the seven Duke players to win the Wooden Award as national player of the year, while Grant Hill lost out to Glenn Robinson the year he was named a First Team All-American. Redick closely monitored Flagg throughout his lone season at Duke and came away very impressed.

What Kidd said about Flagg

With Flagg’s unique skill set, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd reportedly considered whether he could use the former Duke star in a role similar to Grant Hill. Hill, a highly touted Blue Devils prospect, shares some traits with this past draft’s No. 1 pick.

“Kidd saw shades of another former Duke star in Flagg’s game: Grant Hill, who shared the Rookie of the Year award with Kidd in 1994-95, when the 6-foot-8 Hill ran the point for the Detroit Pistons. Kidd saw the same phenomenal blend of feel and force in Flagg that Hill had coming out of Duke,” wrote Michael MacMahon.

Kidd’s assessment makes sense, as the Mavericks aim to gain creative depth while awaiting Kyrie Irving’s return, enhancing team synergy and chemistry, particularly to improve offensive efficiency.

As the new season draws near, with just days to go, Redick addressed the media regarding Doncic and the team’s overall performance, spotlighting the struggles in dynamics as evidenced during preseason matches. With the first game of the new season on the horizon, the pressure is mounting.

“We are trying to form consistent habits, and that involves everyone on the team, not just three guys,” Redick remarked to the media after a 113-104 loss to the Suns. “I think there were some really good moments on both ends of the floor, and certain possessions where we executed well, but to become a really good team, consistency is key every single time.”

“I don’t think any of the groups tonight were as consistent as they need to be,” Redick elaborated. “To me, we took a step forward defensively against the Warriors, but regressed against the Suns, and that’s really frustrating.”

Redick analyzes Doncic’s role in preseason performance

Following an extended period before committing to the Lakers this preseason, Doncic’s dynamic performance and physical prowess have ignited optimism among the fan base. Many consider him to be the linchpin of a franchise eager to ascend back to the pinnacle of the NBA.

“Luka displayed commendable poise,” Redick conveyed to the media. “I’ve mentioned before that he’s trying to foster a strong rapport with Marcus Smart and the other players, and I appreciated his showing in this initial preseason matchup.”

Redick reflects on challenging nights and team development

As the Lakers seek to offer a glimpse of their potential for the upcoming season, Redick seized the opportunity to emphasize the benefits of challenging nights in fostering team cohesion and development.

“Building those small interactions between players was a strong point throughout much of the game,” Redick observed. “It’s my responsibility to address those challenges, but on-court problem-solving is crucial, and that’s where I perceive positive strides for our team,” he remarked.