Luke Kennard’s first season with the Los Angeles Lakers ended in disappointment, but his postgame comments centered on resilience, chemistry, and the emotional toll of a playoff run that slipped away in the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking after the Game 4 loss that completed a 115-110 series sweep for Oklahoma City on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, Kennard reflected on a season shaped by adversity and sudden roster shifts. “I’m proud of the group. Everybody sticking together,” he said, pointing to the locker room response after key injuries changed the team’s trajectory.
He identified a turning point earlier in the season that altered the team’s momentum. “That first OKC game in OKC that definitely took a turn in our season,” Kennard said. “It was late in the year, so it was tough, but just I’m proud of the way that we stayed together.”
The Lakers lost Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to significant injuries during the stretch run, a setback Kennard described as defining for the group dynamic. “Ever since then we started playing good basketball and our group was really close and connected through it all,” he said. “You don’t always get that in the NBA.”
Despite the playoff exit, Kennard emphasized that the team’s internal response stood out more than the result. “When you go down two guys like that and you’re able to continue to lift each other up and stay together like that,” he said, describing the resilience that carried the Lakers deeper into the postseason than many expected after the injuries.
Kennard also spoke about his midseason arrival and how he approached his role within the Lakers’ system. “When I first got traded here, it was how can I make an impact,” he said. “I want to make an impact. I want to go win and be a part of something special.”
He described playing in Los Angeles as a unique experience under constant attention. “This is the biggest stage in basketball,” Kennard said. “You’re playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. The spotlight is on and you feel it.”
The sharpshooter also pointed to durability as a personal milestone in his ninth NBA season. “It’s the most games I’ve played in my career, which is big for me,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in that.”
Looking ahead to free agency, Kennard kept his future open while reinforcing his mindset. “Going into year 10 next year, I want to win,” he said. “Wherever that may be.”
He reserved some of his strongest praise for LeBron James, who remains undecided about his future. “He doesn’t take the game for granted,” Kennard said. “The way he works, the way he leads, and just the longevity of what he’s been able to do is incredible.”
Kennard’s final message reflected both gratitude and unfinished business after a season that ended one series short of the conference finals. “Overall, just proud of the accomplishments and the season that we had,” he said. “We just came up short.”
