After the Los Angeles Lakers’ heartbreaking 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4, head coach JJ Redick addressed the media, focusing on key takeaways from the emotionally charged game.
Redick, who made a pivotal decision to stick with a five-man lineup for the entire second half, explained, “It wasn’t planned, but we just made the decision at halftime.” His trust in the starting group came after a rocky first half, where the Lakers struggled to maintain their early momentum.
Despite playing with intensity and effort, Redick acknowledged that his team did not execute in critical moments. “We certainly played well enough to win and we gave the effort to win,” Redick said. “It was not a planned thing to play five guys an entire second half, but they gave a lot.” With time running out, the Lakers found themselves battling back after multiple Timberwolves’ rallies.
One of the game’s key moments came in the fourth quarter when Anthony Edwards imposed his will on the Lakers. Redick praised Edwards’ dynamic play but recognized the challenges his team faced in defending him. “He’s a difficult player,” Redick said. “When they have their shooters out there, it’s tough to mix in some different things.” Despite attempts to blitz Edwards, the Lakers struggled to contain the Timberwolves’ star, who scored 43 points in the win.
On a crucial possession late in the game, Redick voiced frustration over a missed call. “Luka got tripped,” he pointed out. “We should have been at the free throw line. We had a chance to go up.” While he admitted that the call wasn’t an excuse for the loss, it added to the disappointment of an already challenging game.
Redick’s decision to not second-guess his lineups was another notable aspect of his post-game reflection. When asked about playing LeBron James heavy minutes, Redick responded, “Once you’ve made that decision, you’ve got to trust them.”
The Lakers also struggled with the Timberwolves’ aggressive rebounding, as they were outworked on the glass. “The offensive rebound just killed us in the first half,” Redick said, pointing to one of the key factors that led to the Lakers’ downfall.
Looking ahead to Game 5, the Lakers will need to address these critical issues if they are to avoid elimination. As Redick put it, “We didn’t execute it,” and now, with their backs against the wall, the Lakers must find a way to capitalize on their opportunities in a must-win Game 5.
