Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the Luka Doncic-LeBron James duo ahead of their first-round playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Since arriving via a blockbuster trade from Dallas on February 2, Doncic has averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 35.1 minutes per contest.
James, 40, remains productive in his 22nd season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game across 34.9 minutes.
Redick credited the instant chemistry between the two stars, especially in transition.
“Instantly, you saw their ability to feed off each other in transition — particularly Luka as an outlet passer and LeBron running or getting down the court, creating an early cross-match and early seal,” Redick said.
In half-court sets, Redick credited both players for adapting to each other’s tendencies.
“They’ve figured things out on the fly,” he said. “Whether it’s LeBron off-ball, LeBron as a screener with him, or LeBron and AR working together in a two-man game to then get the ball to Luka — if nothing’s there, that creates optionality.”
Redick emphasized flexibility as a key to managing multiple ball-dominant players like James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
“It doesn’t mean all three have to work together. Sometimes two can go work on the side,” he said. “That’s how you play three-man basketball with ball-dominant guys who can all shoot but aren’t bigs.”
Reaves, 26, is averaging career-highs across the board this season, including 20.2 points and 5.8 assists per game.
When asked about preparations following the regular-season finale, Redick admitted the team took a physical breather.
“We didn’t do anything today in that regard,” Redick said. “We literally ran up and down the court and took a lot of shots.”
On the defensive end, Redick credited James for setting the tone.
“LeBron has been a real leader for us on that end,” he said. “I think the buy-in to the scheme and game plans has been strong.”
He acknowledged some inconsistencies but stood by the team’s overall defensive progress.
“You’re going to have games where you don’t post a 106 defensive rating — that’s why it’s an average,” Redick said. “But I believe outside of that two- to two-and-a-half-week stretch with injuries and a tough schedule, we’ve built that identity.”
The Lakers open their series against the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, who finished one game behind Los Angeles with a 49-33 record.
The matchup will feature Minnesota’s top-10 defense against a Lakers team that has emphasized offensive synergy since acquiring Doncic.
Redick said the team did not run through any Minnesota-specific scouting on Tuesday, focusing instead on rest and light shooting work.
