The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the past two seasons struggling to figure out how to find consistency on defense. Progress has been made, but the baseline for their performances continues to be a divisive subject that has many questioning if they're capable of more than they've shown.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has openly acknowledged his team's flaws on defense, but made it clear that he still sees the potential for meaningful success in 2025-26.
Los Angeles currently ranks No. 14 in the NBA in points allowed per game and No. 20 in defensive rating. It's overcome its lackluster play on defense to accumulate a 40-25 record that has it on pace for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but Redick has identified the potential for more.
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Redick acknowledged that the Lakers won't be the best defense in the NBA any time soon, but noted that it doesn't mean they can't play well.
“We’re not gonna be the No. 1 defense in the league,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said Tuesday. “But to be above average, have those two performances against those two teams back-to-back, is really encouraging.”
That reality check may not be easy to hear or process, but Redick is dead on the money in his evaluation of the state of the Lakers and what they're still capable of achieving.
JJ Redick acknowledges Lakers' defensive flaws, but still sees potential
The Lakers' defense has been in rather remarkable form, holding five of its past seven opponents to 106 points or less. Los Angeles has even held three of those teams to 101 points or less, thus showing significant signs of progress at the perfect time of year.
It's no coincidence that Los Angeles has gone 6-1 over its past seven games, winning each of the five outings during which it gave up 106 points or less.
The most impressive performances by the Lakers' defense were undoubtedly in its most recent games. It defeated the 42-25 New York Knicks 110-97 and immediately followed with a 120-106 victory against the 40-26 Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was not only proof that the Lakers can, in fact, defeat winning teams, but compelling evidence of how far strong defense can take them.
It's worth noting that the Lakers' defensive improvement has been gradual and legitimate. It ranked No. 25 in the Association in defensive rating through Jan. 31 and has been No. 12 since Feb. 1. One can only hope that this entails a sustained commitment to the less glamorous end of the floor.
It'd certainly be wise. Thus far in 2025-26, the Lakers are 16-3 when they allow fewer than 110 points. As Redick said: Even consistently being above average on defense can make them a dangerous team.