Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on his team’s 124-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The Lakers were led by a stellar performance from their star trio, with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James combining for 92 points.
When asked about his primary takeaways from the game, Redick noted, “We came out a little flat defensively. Our offensive execution throughout the game was really good. We missed shots early, but we executed well.” Despite early shooting struggles, the Lakers maintained their offensive rhythm, ending the night shooting 51.9% from the field and 92.9% from the free-throw line.
Redick was particularly impressed with the team’s defensive adjustments, saying, “We went to the zone early in the second quarter, which really disrupted their rhythm.” The Lakers’ defense improved after the switch, with a notable surge in communication, helping them close the gap and control the game.
Doncic had a standout night, leading all scorers with 35 points on 10-of-21 shooting. He also contributed six rebounds and six assists, keeping the Lakers’ offense moving. James added 27 points and eight assists, showing his leadership both in scoring and playmaking. Meanwhile, Reaves continued his hot shooting streak, finishing with 30 points and a season-high six three-pointers, including 15 threes across the last two games.
Redick praised Reaves for his growing confidence and rhythm on the floor: “He’s just playing with a very, very high level of confidence right now.”
The Lakers’ offensive execution in critical moments stood out to Redick. “When those three guys—Luka, Austin, and LeBron—are on the court together, we’re the equivalent of the number seven offense in the league,” Redick said, referencing data that showed the trio’s positive impact.
Their chemistry was particularly evident in the fourth quarter, where they connected on several crucial plays, including a deep paint catch for LeBron and a dunk from Jaxson Hayes after a well-executed offensive set.
Despite Luka Doncic’s slow start and the Lakers’ initial struggles, they managed to outscore the Pelicans in every quarter after the first, finishing with a 37-23 second-quarter run. This shift gave Los Angeles a 62-53 halftime lead. Redick also highlighted the strong performances from bench players, including Dalton Knecht, who contributed 12 points.
The Lakers’ defensive effort was also critical, with Jaxson Hayes grabbing 11 defensive rebounds and providing an important presence in the paint. Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt played key roles in limiting New Orleans’ scoring opportunities in the second half.
The Pelicans, missing several key players including Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Herbert Jones, were led by Jose Alvarado, who scored 27 points, matching his season high. However, New Orleans struggled to keep pace as the game progressed, ultimately falling to 21-56 on the season.
For the Lakers, this win was crucial as they maintain their position in third place in the Western Conference, now at 47-30. Redick acknowledged the team’s improvement but pointed to the room for growth: “There’s a lot of room to grow,” particularly in understanding the system and what works for them as a group.
