Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick analyzed his team’s struggles following a 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers fell apart in the second quarter, allowing a 48-point outburst that put them in a hole they never climbed out of.
“We actually defended well for the second half and first eight minutes of the game,” Redick said postgame. “It was that four-minute stretch in the 12 minutes of the second quarter where we were just terrible defensively.”
Redick pointed to fatigue as a major factor in the loss, especially after playing three games in four nights. He highlighted poor decision-making and defensive breakdowns, particularly against Tyrese Maxey, who scored 43 points for Philadelphia.
“I’m not sure where our collective brains were at,” Redick said. “We were a step slow all night on Maxey, particularly in that quarter.”
The Lakers struggled with turnovers, finishing with 22 giveaways while also allowing Philadelphia to attempt 19 more field goals. Redick acknowledged that those mistakes prevented his team from gaining momentum in the second half.
LeBron James led Los Angeles with 31 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, but his eight turnovers proved costly. The Lakers also took a major hit when Anthony Davis exited late in the first quarter with an abdominal strain.
Rookie Dalton Knecht was a bright spot off the bench, scoring 24 points while shooting 5-of-8 from three-point range. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura added 13 points each, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Philadelphia.
Redick also addressed his decision to play Bronny James in the first quarter, explaining that the rookie had performed well in “stay-ready” games and the G League. The young James played 15 minutes but finished scoreless with three rebounds and one assist.
“Maybe put him in a tough spot flying up yesterday and nationally televised game and Philly and all that stuff,” Redick said. “He didn’t play well, but he’s been playing great in the ‘stay ready’ games and the G [League].”
Maxey dominated from the opening tip, extending his streak of 25-point games to 11 straight. He had 41 points by the end of the third quarter, shooting 15-of-26 from the field and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Guerschon Yabusele chipped in 14 points for a 76ers team that was missing Joel Embiid and Paul George. The win snapped a losing skid for Philadelphia, which improved to 18-27 on the season.
The Lakers, now 26-19, remain in the middle of the Western Conference standings but could face challenges if Davis misses extended time. Redick’s squad will need to regroup quickly with tough matchups ahead.
