Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick did not hold back after his team’s 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Speaking postgame, Redick emphasized the defensive struggles and lack of urgency that led to the Lakers’ worst defensive performance in months.
“Our defense. You give up 44 points in the paint. Our turnovers killed us all night, which led to them getting shots in transition,” Redick said. “I thought we did a poor job contesting. They were 5-for-22 at the half from three, and I think they were 14-for-19 in the second half. Buzelis hit a bunch of those.”
Matas Buzelis torched the Lakers with a career-high 31 points, while Coby White led all scorers with 36. The Bulls shot 58.3% from the field and outscored Los Angeles by 15 in the second half. Redick pointed to a lack of defensive edge as the key issue.
“That’s the word we’ve used a lot—that is edge. You got to play with an edge,” Redick said. “I told them this just now. I don’t think it’s like a secret, so I’m comfortable sharing this. Our success this season since January has been based on our defensive disposition and our ability to defend as a team and our individual pride on the ball and our individual pride in doing your job.”
LeBron James returned from a seven-game absence and finished with 17 points. Luka Doncic scored 34, and Austin Reaves added 25, but Los Angeles had no answers for Chicago’s relentless attack.
Despite getting back to full strength with Rui Hachimura’s return, the Lakers looked out of sync. Redick acknowledged that reintegrating players after injuries takes time but stressed that time is running out.
“I don’t know if we assumed because we had everybody back that it’s just going to be like it was three weeks ago, and that’s just not how this works,” Redick explained. “I think the guys know that, and I’m not saying that’s what they assumed. You have to ask them that.”
Los Angeles, now 43-27, remains fourth in the Western Conference but has lost three of its last five. Redick made it clear that there is no more room for slow adjustments.
“You got to get reconnected, and we don’t have a lot of time,” Redick said. “It’s got to be now. It can’t be in a week, it can’t be in two weeks. It’s got to be Monday morning in our film session and our walkthrough for Orlando.”
Los Angeles, now 43-27, remains fourth in the Western Conference but has lost three of its last five. The team faces the Orlando Magic next as they try to regain their defensive form before the postseason push.
