Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed the team’s 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, highlighting the defensive breakdowns that allowed Phoenix to score on the first 13 possessions of the second half. “We couldn’t keep him out of the paint,” Redick said, referencing Phoenix’s 1.43 offensive rating when attacking inside.
Redick acknowledged his team’s attempts to adjust defensively. “We tried zone, they got a layup and an open three. I don’t know why we were guarding Mark Williams at the three-point line,” he said. “Then we went to a 15 in the second half, one through five switching. That didn’t work. At that point, you’re out of options.”
He emphasized the importance of effort and decision-making. “It comes down to just making the choice… you can make the second effort or you can sprint back or you can’t. It’s just a choice,” Redick explained. “Comfortable doesn’t win.”
Redick also reflected on the challenge of constantly changing lineups. “We have had two healthy games. There’s probably a touch of that [rotation changes], but we practice this stuff enough, we review this stuff enough,” he said. “It comes down to executing the vast majority of choices correctly.”
When asked about Phoenix players’ natural play style, Redick noted, “A guy like [Jordan Goodwin], that’s just how he plays. This group, can we get enough consistent effort to get to where we need to be defensively? I think so.”
Redick addressed the team’s response to adversity after consecutive losses. “The guys have been great about responding to challenges, whether that’s injuries, a loss, poor performance. We’ve got a lot of games left… stick together.”
He provided an update on player availability, noting Jackson’s ankle soreness. “He had a re-tweak, fell on it, it’s sore,” Redick said. On Austin Reaves, who returned after three games, he added, “It was good to see him on the court. I thought he had some nice drives.”
Redick summed up the team’s defensive issues, pointing to both execution and effort. “When your margin for error is not super high, you need to be able to execute. Tonight, we didn’t do that at all,” he said. “When we do it, we can string together some good defensive possessions.”
The Lakers struggled to contain Phoenix despite LeBron James scoring 23 points and Austin Reaves adding 17 off the bench. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 25 points, Devin Booker added 21 and 11 assists, and Mark Williams contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, helping Phoenix outscore the Lakers 45-29 in the third quarter to take control.
