Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick highlighted his team’s defensive intensity and contributions from role players in Tuesday’s 110-101 comeback victory against the New Orleans Pelicans at crypto.com Arena.
“Big emphasis for us pregame and on the film was just our physicality,” Redick said. “You have to match Zion’s physicality. You have to match Saddiq Bey’s physicality. Like they’re big players, and I thought Smart was incredible tonight. Him and Jaxson in the second half really just helped us win the game.”
Redick noted the rarity of the win: “That’s not a win we’ve had since probably November, you know, where we’re down a lot of those early wins… and just stuck with it and kept playing. It was a good win for our group to be able to do that again.”
On team cohesion, he added, “We’re a work in progress, and I would just say that, but I’m confident that we’ll eventually get to a good space.”
Discussing contributions beyond the stars, Redick said, “Austin had a couple steals and blocks late. DeAndre, some really big baskets early in the third quarter. There were a number of players who touched this win in a way.”
He acknowledged offensive struggles: “It wasn’t the prettiest game. Some of that was the turnovers. Some of that was a couple stretches where we had good catch-and-shoot threes that didn’t go down. The offense didn’t flow as well on top of that.”
Redick highlighted key defensive plays and hustle: “The plays you just got to make to win… the hand activity plays, the physicality plays, loose balls. Smart hitting that big three, Jaxson and Smart both crashing, we end up with the ball, AR gets the three. Those were the type of plays we had to make to win tonight.”
Regarding third-quarter turnovers, he explained, “Typically, with our turnovers, it’s a multitude… errant passes, not making the simple pass. That was felt like the case tonight.”
Redick praised Marcus Smart’s consistency: “Smart has starred in his role for what we need from him consistently throughout the year. He’s been tremendous for us defensively… he gave us life tonight.”
He also lauded Jaxson Hayes for energy: “Jaxson’s had a really good season. He’s a better basketball player, making touch shots around the rim, making great pocket decisions. He consistently injects energy into the group when he runs the floor or blocks a shot or gets a dunk.”
On balancing player milestones with team focus, Redick emphasized, “I wouldn’t coach a basketball game to try to get a guy a record. He’ll get his record; we’re trying to win a basketball game.”
