The Lakers and first-year coach JJ Redick have shown an impressive knack for hitting the right notes when adversity strikes, and Wednesday night was no different.
Faced with a three-game losing streak, Redick made a bold choice to reinsert rookie Dalton Knecht into the starting lineup, replacing Cam Reddish. The result? A balanced, inspired effort that ended the skid in emphatic fashion with a 119-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Redick’s decision to shuffle the deck didn’t just work — it thrived. Knecht delivered his best road game as a pro, leading the Lakers with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including four 3-pointers, while grabbing eight rebounds. He set the tone early, scoring 10 of the Lakers’ first 21 points, and the team never looked back, controlling the game from start to finish.
“It was about letting go of the past and moving on to the next thing,” Redick said. “And that’s exactly what we did tonight. Everyone stepped up.”
LeBron James finished with his sixth triple-double of the season, overcoming a slow start to post 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis added 19 points, 14 boards, and a season-high seven assists, showcasing his ability to play through double-teams and make the right reads.
The supporting cast shined, too, with Rui Hachimura (16 points, five assists) and Austin Reaves (13 points, three 3-pointers) delivering key contributions. D’Angelo Russell and Max Christie provided a spark off the bench, combining for 29 points.
This was the Lakers’ most complete performance of the season. Seven players reached double figures, and they recorded 31 assists while keeping turnovers to a minimum. Defensively, their 1-5 switching scheme disrupted San Antonio’s rhythm, limiting the Spurs to just 42.4% shooting. Victor Wembanyama still got his numbers (20 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks), but the Spurs’ four-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.
“They couldn’t really get into the paint because of our switching,” Russell said. “It forced them into a lot of jumpers, and we did a good job cleaning up the boards.”
The Lakers improved to 11-7 and now turn their attention to an important NBA Cup Group Play finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
The stakes? A chance to advance to the next round of the in-season tournament. If Redick’s track record is any indication, the Lakers may have more tricks up their sleeve as they continue to refine their identity.
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