Lakers head coach JJ Redick broke down Friday’s 105-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena, focusing on the critical final possessions. “We take the lead to go up four. And then we come up empty on a number of possessions and felt like… we were getting good looks, didn’t score,” Redick said.
Redick explained how missed free throws extended the Bucks’ opportunity. “We put them on the free throw line for the Kevin Porter play… and then LeBron fouled. They end up getting four points there when, quite frankly, we were playing great defense for most of the entire second half,” he said.
The coach also detailed a miscommunication in the closing seconds. “Once it got down, you know, it was about six, seven, eight seconds… we know it’s a short timeout… felt like there was enough time to do a need-two. We run it. They miss, and I jump up and call a timeout. They didn’t hear me… I skipped a step there. I’ll take the blame on that.”
Redick addressed Luka Doncic’s struggles and fouling out. “He missed some free throws… he didn’t have his best stuff tonight. But the group that played most of the fourth quarter, LeBron especially, they put us in a position to win the game,” he said.
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo made two decisive defensive plays in the final minute, and Redick praised his impact. “The last play… we got a good advantage with our best player on the floor, and he made a hell of a play to get the back tap… the block was, again, a hell of a defensive play. We’ve seen him do it a number of times,” Redick said.
Redick credited the Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. for converting key opportunities down the stretch. Porter scored 22 points, including four clutch free throws that secured Milwaukee’s fifth win in seven games. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while LeBron James had 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
The Lakers had erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, sparked by a 17-4 run, but ultimately fell short despite shooting 42% from three-point range. Redick noted the team’s overall process in late-game situations. “There’s a certain process that you follow… first thing is always, you tell the ref, make or miss, I’m going to call timeout. That didn’t happen perfectly tonight,” he said.
Los Angeles’ supporting cast struggled with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura sidelined, though Hachimura may return next week. Milwaukee improved to 17-21 while the Lakers dropped to 23-13, aiming to regroup for Monday’s matchup against Sacramento.
