Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently praised Luka Doncic for his exceptional ability to adapt to various defensive strategies. After the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominant 136-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Redick said, “They tried a bunch of different coverages on him – blitz, the red, the drop. He’s solved every riddle.”
The 26-year-old star has been instrumental in the Lakers’ success since his high-profile trade, averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in just nine games. His performance against New Orleans was another testament to his elite skills, contributing 30 points, 15 assists, and 8 rebounds in the Lakers’ seventh straight win.
Redick also praised Jaxson Hayes. “When we were setting ball screens with him, we had the right spacing,” said Redick. “And when we weren’t, he was in the dunker and opposite the ball, which led to some easy dunks.”
He also acknowledged the effort from other players in helping the offense flow smoothly. “I thought Bron was fantastic. Jaxson, again, organization, his spacing, being disciplined. I thought Jaxson played really well tonight.” Redick’s comments emphasized the importance of team play and discipline in executing the offense effectively.
In addition to Doncic’s brilliance, LeBron James also played a pivotal role in the Lakers’ victory, scoring 34 points. In doing so, he became the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 combined points in regular-season and playoff games, cementing his legendary status. The Lakers, with James and Doncic combining for 64 points, demonstrated an offensive juggernaut that has propelled them to the second spot in the Western Conference.
Redick was also quick to credit other players for their contributions to the team effort. “Off the bench, we get contributions from Shake, two big threes in the first half. I thought Vando’s energy in the third quarter defensively really helped us stretch the game open. Gabe as well in that third quarter defensively was really good.”
The Lakers’ offense ran smoothly, shooting 53.3% from the field and limiting the Pelicans to just 26.5% from beyond the arc. In addition to the big three performances from James, Doncic, and Hayes, the Lakers got key contributions from their bench, with Shake Milton hitting two important three-pointers and Jarred Vanderbilt providing energetic defense in the third quarter.
Despite a strong 37-point performance from Zion Williamson, the Pelicans couldn’t match the Lakers’ efficiency, particularly in the second half. Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 100-91 after halftime, closing the game with an 11-0 run led by Doncic’s leadership on the floor.
With the win, the Lakers extended their strong record since acquiring Doncic, now standing at 11-2. With the continued brilliance of James and the emerging leadership from Doncic, Los Angeles is poised to maintain their momentum as the season progresses.
