UPDATE: Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick delivered a blunt assessment of his team’s performance following a crushing 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 19, 2023. In a post-game interview, Redick highlighted a critical lack of effort and defensive intensity, stating, “No,” when asked if his roster has players committed to consistent physical play.
This defeat marks the Lakers’ third loss in their last five games, dropping their season record to 19-9. Alarmingly, all nine losses have come by double-digit margins, raising concerns about the team’s defensive capabilities, which now rank 24th in the NBA after finishing 17th last season.
In a third quarter meltdown, the Lakers allowed the Suns to outscore them 45-29, with Phoenix shooting an astonishing 72.7% from the field and 83.3% from three-point range during that period. Redick emphasized that the team’s issues boil down to a choice: “It’s just a choice. There are shortcuts you can take or you can do the hard thing… But can you make the vast majority of them correctly? It gives you a chance to win.”
Despite the setback, LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points and six assists in just 26 minutes of play. Austin Reaves made his return from injury, contributing 17 points off the bench. However, the Lakers were without key players, including Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura, both considered day-to-day ahead of their Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Health issues have plagued the Lakers this season, notably with James missing the first 14 games due to sciatica. After the game, both James and Reaves stressed the importance of collective effort. James reiterated, “It has to be five guys on a string,” while Reaves pointed out that every player must be locked in for every possession. “We’ve shown we can do it. We just got to do it more regularly,” he added.
Even Marcus Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year acquired to bolster the Lakers’ defensive edge, criticized the team’s current form. “We doing s—,” he stated bluntly. “There’s really no defense, no scheme we can do when we’re giving up offensive rebounds in crucial moments… It’s tough. And JJ is right. It’s on us.”
With the trade deadline just six weeks away, questions loom about potential roster changes if the Lakers do not show signs of improvement. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how this team responds in the coming games as they seek to turn around their defensive struggles.
