Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed his team’s defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers following a 116-102 loss at the newly opened Intuit Dome. Redick highlighted the team’s struggles on both ends of the court while acknowledging the Clippers’ dominance.
“It was one of those games where you wanted your offense to help your defense and didn’t make shots, turned the ball over,” Redick said. He credited his team for competing but emphasized the difficulty of overcoming mistakes against a formidable Clippers team. “Against great teams, you make mistakes, you don’t get a loose ball, you don’t get the defensive rebounds, they make you pay.”
The Clippers’ Ivica Zubac played a pivotal role, dominating the boards with 21 points and 19 rebounds. Redick described Zubac as “the difference” in the second half, citing the Lakers’ nine offensive rebounds allowed after halftime, six of which Zubac secured. “Zubac is a monster,” he said.
Redick praised the Clippers’ defensive identity and offensive execution, noting Kawhi Leonard’s ability to score effortlessly. Leonard tallied 19 points in just 24 minutes, surpassing 14,000 career points in the process. “If he gets to a spot and shoots the ball, I don’t care how good the defense is… he doesn’t miss,” Redick remarked.
James Harden also stood out for the Clippers, contributing 21 points and 12 assists. Redick acknowledged Harden’s impact, saying, “This was like a James Harden game. Got him inside the line, he obviously hit some threes. He doesn’t have a super-efficient shooting night, but he gets 12 assists and manipulates the game.”
The Lakers struggled to maintain consistency, committing 15 turnovers compared to the Clippers’ 12. LeBron James led Los Angeles with 25 points and 11 assists, while Rui Hachimura added 19 points. Anthony Davis returned to action with 16 points and 10 rebounds but failed to counter Zubac’s presence in the paint.
The Clippers built a commanding 26-point lead in the third quarter, fueled by Leonard’s eight consecutive points. Despite solid shooting efficiency from both teams, the Lakers’ inability to control the boards and limit mistakes proved costly.
Redick acknowledged the Lakers’ ongoing challenges, pointing to their narrow margin for error. “We don’t have a guy on our team that’s going to necessarily always draw two of the ball… so we have to do it through connectivity, through execution. When we do that, we’re really good,” Redick explained.
He also reflected on the team’s growth process. “I think we’re growing and we all know that during the growth process you have some bumps, and that’s okay. Our group is together and connected more times than not, and we’ll continue to grow and build,” he added.
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 22 points, including crucial three-pointers, while the Clippers’ bench provided valuable contributions. Dalton Knecht offered a spark for the Lakers, scoring 10 points in limited minutes, but it wasn’t enough to shift momentum.
Despite the loss, Redick emphasized the importance of staying the course. “When we’re healthy, we’re whole and we’re playing and connected and we execute, I think we’re a great basketball team. That’s what I mean by that,” he said.
The Clippers improved to 24-17 with their fourth consecutive victory, solidifying their position as a defensive powerhouse. The Lakers, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back in their next outing as they continue their push to climb the Western Conference standings.