Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his insights on the team’s 134-132 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. The game, decided by a clutch Trae Young 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds remaining, marked the Lakers’ third consecutive defeat.
Redick highlighted late-game execution as a key issue, referencing a critical turnover and defensive lapses. “Different type of scenario than the Orlando game, but certainly frustrated with the late game execution,” Redick said. He added that specific breakdowns in execution during the final moments played a significant role in the loss.
The rookie coach further analyzed a late-game possession involving Anthony Davis. “Wasn’t exactly the right sort of angles and screening that we had done many times in practice. When AD comes back toward half court, that’s not what you want ideally because he’s in a trappable spot versus catching it in the middle of the floor,” he explained.
The Lakers’ star duo, LeBron James and Davis, combined for 77 points, with James scoring 39 and Davis adding 38. However, their efforts were outmatched by Young, who posted a 31-point, 20-assist performance, leading the Hawks to their sixth straight win.
Redick praised his team’s defensive effort despite the loss. “I thought Gabe (Vincent) defensively was really good. I thought a lot of our guys really competed on that end,” he said. He also recognized Trae Young’s ability to exploit defenses, describing him as “a really good player” who knows “how to manipulate defense.”
In overtime, Atlanta capitalized on key defensive plays by Dyson Daniels, who forced a turnover and tied up Davis for a jump ball in the final minute. Though Davis won the tip, the Lakers failed to secure possession, setting the stage for Young’s game-winning shot.
Redick acknowledged the Lakers’ competitive spirit and effort throughout the game. “I told the group that I appreciated their effort, their intent, their energy,” he said. He emphasized that the team “did enough to win a basketball game tonight,” expressing optimism about building on their performance.
The Hawks’ bench played a pivotal role, outscoring the Lakers’ reserves 65-17. De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 26 and 20 points, respectively, providing crucial support. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ role players struggled, with Max Christie contributing nine points and Rui Hachimura adding 12.
James missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds of overtime, following a dramatic block by Christie on Young’s shot to end regulation. Despite James recording a triple-double with 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Davis contributing 10 rebounds and 8 assists, Los Angeles fell short.
Reflecting on adjustments, Redick expressed a constructive outlook. “You can build on that. You can adjust and scheme and maybe tweak some things late game,” he said, acknowledging the team’s growth despite the loss.
The Lakers, now 12-11, entered the game after two blowout losses by a combined 70 points—the worst in franchise history. Redick noted the improvement in their play compared to recent performances, though late-game adjustments remain a focus.
