Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed his team’s narrow 119-118 loss to the Orlando Magic, expressing his thoughts on the execution down the stretch.
Redick acknowledged the team’s performance but highlighted crucial mistakes that contributed to the defeat, including missed free throws and a game-winning three-pointer by Franz Wagner.
“I’d have to go back and rewatch every possession there in the last couple of minutes,” Redick said. “I didn’t love the thought process and the mindset when Wagner hit the three…. Overall, I felt comfortable with our execution up until the missed free-throws and the Wagner three.”
The coach noted that while the Lakers made solid plays, they missed opportunities to close out the game effectively.
Redick specifically mentioned the final possession when Wagner drained the game-winning three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left.
“We talk all the time about our isos, we don’t want to allow threes in isos, especially late in the game,” Redick added. “It could have been a little bit better. A small thing.”
Despite the loss, Redick acknowledged Orlando’s resilience, even as the Magic were without three starters. The Magic outplayed the Lakers in the third quarter, outscoring them 29-21, with Redick commenting on the team’s struggles during that stretch.
“They disrupted the flow,” Redick said. “I don’t feel like it disrupted us for more than a couple possessions. I know we didn’t score for a stretch there but we got good shots. Those first couple possessions weren’t great. They took as aback a little bit and then we were able to execute against it.
“But it was that stretch where we struggled to score. And frankly we were just not getting stops, which if you get stops, then you’re playing against man in early offense.”
Franz Wagner’s 37-point performance, including 15 points in the fourth quarter, played a major role in the Lakers’ defeat.
Wagner also added 11 assists, leading the Magic to their seventh win in their last eight games. Jalen Suggs contributed 23 points, while Moritz Wagner added a season-high 19 points.
The Lakers’ loss snapped their six-game winning streak, dropping their record to 10-5. Anthony Davis, who had 39 points and nine rebounds, missed two key free throws with 19 seconds left and failed to connect on an 18-foot jumper at the buzzer.
LeBron James finished with 31 points, but missed crucial free throws in the final moments, contributing to the Lakers’ downfall.
The Lakers also struggled with bench production, scoring only 14 points compared to Orlando’s 29.
Despite these challenges, Redick remains focused on improving the team’s late-game execution. The coach emphasized that while the Lakers’ offense showed promise, the defensive lapses and missed opportunities ultimately cost them the game.
The loss serves as a learning experience for the Lakers, who will look to bounce back from their first home loss of the season. For Orlando, the win marks another step toward building on last season’s success and establishing themselves as a potential contender in the Eastern Conference.
