Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t sugarcoat it after Thursday’s 23-point loss to the Rockets. In fact, he questioned whether his team is taking winning seriously at all.
“We don’t care enough right now,” Redick said, via ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin. “And that’s the part that bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional.”
Houston seized control early, jumping out to a 14-point first-quarter lead and never letting the Lakers back into the game. The Rockets dominated the glass 48-25, including 17 offensive rebounds, and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.
It marked the Lakers’ third straight loss and their sixth in the past 10 games, pushing them closer to the play-in picture. Redick said effort and execution remain the dividing line.
“Saturday’s practice — I told the guys — it’s going to be uncomfortable,” he said. “The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I’m not doing another 53 games like this.”
Luka Doncic returned after leaving Saturday’s game with a lower left leg contusion, but struggled. He committed three turnovers in the first two minutes and finished with six.
Rui Hachimura also returned from a groin strain, while Austin Reaves exited at halftime due to calf soreness and is scheduled for an MRI.
“I don’t know what has to change, but definitely something needs to change,” Doncic said. “Everybody has got to give better effort, starting with me.”
It wasn’t a good night for LeBron James, either. The Lakers were outscored by 33 points in his 32:26 on the floor, marking his worst plus-minus since joining Los Angeles and the third-worst of his career.
Reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt said the team understands what’s coming next.
“Certain stuff just needs to be said,” Vanderbilt said. “We’ve got to have those hard conversations. We don’t want this to keep going in the wrong direction.”
The Lakers will try to stop the slide Sunday against the Kings, but Redick made it clear — change isn’t optional anymore.
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