On Thursday night time, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their first residence lack of the 2024-25 NBA season at Crypto.com Area. Regardless of holding the lead for a lot of the sport, the Orlando Magic staged a powerful second-half comeback to safe a slender 119-118 victory. After the sport, head coach JJ Redick was requested about how he handles such defeats and supplied an surprising response.
“I am going to a really darkish place,” Redick stated in a severe tone, prompting shock from the assembled media. Nonetheless, he rapidly clarified, “Actually, it’s the basement. I flip the lights out and I watch movie,” laughing at his personal quip and lightening the temper following the Lakers’ robust defeat.
Redick’s response supplied a glimpse into the distinctive strategies he employs early in his teaching profession. Not like his enjoying days, the place the emotional toll of losses would possibly linger, the Lakers’ head coach focuses on fast enchancment. By analyzing sport footage in his self-described “darkish place,” Redick dedicates himself to figuring out and addressing areas for enchancment.
Regardless of the loss, JJ was fast to acknowledge his staff’s effort, contrasting it with different defeats this season. “Each loss is irritating,” he famous. “We’ve had 5 losses now. There are particular losses the place you possibly can level to an absence of will, competitiveness, and physicality to begin a sport.” However reflecting on the sport vs Orlando, he added: “I believed our guys competed and have been bodily.”
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach JJ Redick look on throughout the third quarter towards the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Area on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
What went incorrect for the Lakers?
The Lakers began robust, constructing a slim 7-point lead by halftime. Nonetheless, the Magic received higher within the third quarter, and the Lakers struggled to regain management. “They disrupted the circulation, which a zone can do generally,” Redick defined. “To be trustworthy, I don’t assume it disrupted us for greater than a few possessions. I do know we didn’t rating for a stretch there, however we received good pictures.”
Key moments within the last minutes finally determined the sport. Redick pointed to some essential performs, together with missed free throws and a late three-pointer by Franz Wagner. “I’ll should rewatch each possession within the final couple of minutes,” Redick admitted. “General, I felt snug with our execution up till these moments.”
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What’s subsequent for the Lakers?
The loss drops the Lakers to a 10-5 file, putting them fourth within the Western Convention standings. They’ll face a major problem subsequent Saturday as they host the Denver Nuggets, their playoff rivals from final season. The matchup offers a chance for redemption and an opportunity to solidify their place among the many West’s elite groups.
