Los Angeles Lakers rookie head coach JJ Redick began his coaching career on a high note, securing a 110-103 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Redick praised his team’s execution and adaptability after a thorough preseason.
“AD was phenomenal tonight. He attacked the game the right way and was patient,” Redick stated. He emphasized that while the team focused on fast breaks, they also relied on Davis to remain engaged, even when not immediately involved in the plays. “There were times…we’re trying to look for throw-aheads after misses and makes, and there’s times he’s just going to be trailing the play,” Redick noted.
Davis dominated the matchup, scoring 36 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. His performance anchored both the Lakers’ offense and defense.
Redick acknowledged the effectiveness of the Lakers’ game plan, which was tailored to exploit Minnesota’s weaknesses. “Our guys did a phenomenal job of executing our game plan,” he said. He highlighted that the coaching staff had prepared thoroughly, installing strategies during the 21-day preseason. “We practiced it, we walked through it, we did some more today,” Redick added.
The Lakers demonstrated solid defensive efforts throughout the game. Redick remarked, “Our coaching staff was really thoughtful about how we wanted to defend these guys.” He acknowledged that despite some lapses, particularly during the third quarter, the team remained competitive and fought hard. “That’s fun to coach when your team is competing at that level,” he said, indicating his satisfaction with the effort shown by the players.
In addition to the team’s performance, the game marked a historic moment for the James family. LeBron James and his eldest son, Bronny, made history as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together. LeBron contributed 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Bronny logged three minutes off the bench without scoring.
The shared court time between LeBron and Bronny added significance to the game, as it symbolized a milestone in basketball history. The duo played together for nearly 2.5 minutes in the first half.
Rui Hachimura played a pivotal role, contributing 18 points and 5 rebounds. His performance continued to solidify his position as a key player for the Lakers this season.
Austin Reaves also made an impact, scoring 12 points and adding 9 rebounds and 4 assists. His all-around contributions were vital in securing the win against a competitive Timberwolves squad.
