“They’re a terrific basketball team… I’ve been very impressed with them. I still believe we can beat them, but we just have to be better,“ Redick told the media following another disappointing defeat against the reigning champions.

Despite holding first-half leads in all three games of this series, the Lakers have struggled to maintain their rhythm, watching as everything falls apart in the second half.

Alongside Redick, LeBron James maintained a confident front despite the daunting 3-0 deficit. Austin Reaves echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that the team simply needs to execute better in what could be their final game of the postseason.

The keys behind OKC’s dominance

Beyond the Lakers’ inability to close out games in the second half, the Thunder have relied on the star power of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren to anchor an offense that refuses to slow down.

Rookie standout Ajay Mitchell also showed veteran maturity, leading the unit even as Gilgeous-Alexander drew the bulk of the Lakers’ defensive attention. Mitchell recorded career playoff highs with 24 points and 10 assists, marking his sixth consecutive game scoring at least 14 points.

Furthermore, the Lakers have been unable to capitalize on Luka Doncic’s absence. Without their primary scoring threat available, Los Angeles has struggled to adapt as the Thunder’s defense has swarmed LeBron and Reaves, effectively stifling the Lakers’ offense when it matters most.

To counter those runs, Redick said he planned to adjust his in-game approach, particularly with timeouts. He referenced Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as an example of managing momentum with quick decisions. “I know Rick Carlisle is like the master of that, is like the quick timeout,” Redick said. “I’ve already told the staff, I’ve already told the players, like, I’ve got to be more diligent than I normally am.”

Redick admitted that his usual preference for conserving timeouts late in games might not apply against Oklahoma City. “I like my timeouts. I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts. I like having two in the last 30 seconds,” he said. “I don’t think you have the luxury of worrying about that because the game can get away from you so quick.”

What the Lakers will do

Beyond the use of timeouts, limiting turnovers remains a key aspect of the Lakers’ strategy. The Thunder’s defensive pressure, led by players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and anchored by rim protectors like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, had consistently disrupted opposing offenses.

The Lakers showed signs of vulnerability in this area during their first-round series, as stretches of careless ball handling created scoring opportunities for Houston. Against Oklahoma City, those mistakes could prove far more costly.

On the offensive end, Los Angeles relied on LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura to generate consistent scoring while facing one of the NBA’s best defensive units. The Lakers’ ability to convert perimeter shots and avoid turnovers in transition would be crucial to prevent the Thunder from building momentum, and this was where the absence of Luka Doncic could be felt the most.

What else Redick will watch

Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge ahead, pointing to Oklahoma City’s ability to control games through momentum swings. With Game 1 set in Oklahoma City, the Lakers are focused on limiting those stretches that had defined the Thunder’s success.

Redick identified Oklahoma City’s ability to generate scoring runs as the primary issue his team had to address in the series. “Well, we couldn’t learn a lot from three of those games because we were god awful,” Redick said. “I think bigger picture, just a general thing with them is they’re really good at runs.”

According to Dave McMenamin, Doncic was getting up shots Monday, hours before the team heads to Oklahoma, but when asked about his availability for Game 1, JJ Redick said, “no update,” which means there is no significant progress on his injury and his return will still have to wait.

Doncic dealt with a nagging hamstring throughout the 2025-26 season, so he and the Lakers have every reason to be overly cautious as he ramps back up for basketball activities. It is a tough reality to swallow given how well Doncic was playing to close out the regular season, but jeopardizing his health to try to advance past the Thunder would be a terrible decision.

What the Lakers should expect

If it were a different type of injury, there would probably be a greater willingness to allow Doncic to play; however, at this point, the priority should be focused on next season and the long-term future. Oklahoma City swept the Phoenix Suns and has enjoyed extended rest, so rushing the 27-year-old back might not make as much of a difference as the team would hope.

In theory, Doncic could return at some point in the series if Los Angeles manages to steal a couple of games, but that is much easier said than done. Even if the most likely outcome is a second-round exit, the Lakers should feel proud of what they have accomplished so far and protect Doncic to avoid worsening his injury.

The true estimated return of Doncic

According to sports doctor Jesse Morse, this type of injury typically requires 6 to 8 weeks for a full recovery. However, with advanced treatment methods and aggressive rehabilitation, the timeline can sometimes be shortened to around 4 to 6 weeks.

Now, just over a month removed from the injury, with the injury happening on April 2, Luka has rejoined the NBA team but has yet to make significant progress in his on-court activity, particularly in running and five-on-five play.

“Therefore, he’s not close to returning,” Morse explained. “I think realistically, the fastest Doncic could return is Monday, May 11, for Game 4,” the sports medicine specialist added.

“Doncic will be out to start this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Shams Charania reported on ESPN. “The Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis. It’s still a slow path on Doncic’s recovery. Still not full fledged running or full contact workouts.”

Though deflating, Charania’s report confirms what the Lakers had been expecting for a while. Redick and company know they are in for a steep climb if they want to take down the reigning NBA champions in the 2026 Playoffs. Fortunately for Los Angeles, LeBron James is playing some of the best basketball of his career—at 41—and Austin Reaves—though still finding his footing—is back in action.

Doncic set to miss 12th straight game

Since sustaining a Grade 2 hamstring strain during the 139–96 blowout loss to the Thunder on April 2, Doncic hasn’t stepped on the court in an NBA game. Curiously enough, he might make his long-awaited return against OKC, too.

Considering Doncic is trending to be sidelined for Games 1 and 2 of the series—both at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City—his missed games total could rise to 13 in a row. So far in the 2025–26 campaign, Doncic has been out for 24 games, six of which have come in the ongoing postseason.

Regardless, two absences were due to the birth of his daughter and were not injury-related. The Lakers have grown used to playing without Doncic at multiple points throughout the season. But this time’s different.

Lakers up for huge challenge

Overcoming Doncic’s absence when taking on the best team in the league might be an impossible task for the Purple and Gold. At least, the latest injury update didn’t come out of the blue for Redick and the Lakers. As it gears up for a tone-setting visit to the Big Friendly, Los Angeles hopes to come away with at least one win.

Any other outcome may put the Lakers in a world of trouble that not even Doncic may be able to pull them out of. That is, of course, if Doncic even comes back during the series. All signs indicate he will, but nothing can be taken for granted. If the Lakers aren’t careful, there may no longer be a series for Doncic to return to by the time he’s fully healed from the Grade 2 hamstring strain.

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.