"We've consistently got exposed in the same things," JJ Redick told the media after the Los Angeles Lakers' brutal 132-119 beatdown at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup clash on Wednesday.
The Lakers defense just made it easy. In particular, their perimeter stoppers struggled to contain what the Spurs had to offer.
Stephon Castle scored 30 points, De'Aaron Fox added 20, Keldon Johnson chipped in 17 off the bench, Harrison Barnes' four 3-pointers contributed to 16 points overall, Julian Champagnie had 16 as well, and even Dylan Harper added 13. It was a cakewalk for the Spurs.
This is a theme. The Golden State Warriors hung 17 3-pointers in the season-opening loss for Los Angeles. The Atlanta Hawks shot 40 percent to hit 12 triples. The Phoenix Suns also had 17 from beyond the arc, shooting 43.6 percent. The Boston Celtics dropped a whopping 24 3-poiners at a clip above 50 percent.
When the Lakers lose, they lose ugly. More often than not, their perimeter defense continues to stand out as the glaring weakness of a team that ultimately wants everything this season could promise..
Lakers defense needs to turn it around before it is too late
"The habits that we build throughout the regular season each month, if we are in a position to make it to the postseason and be able to get to that point [of title contention], we have to build it now," LeBron James said after the Spurs loss.
LeBron:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 11, 2025
"I can't think about what we can do in the playoffs in December. Talking about what type of damage we can do in the postseason in December that's not right for the basketball Gods" pic.twitter.com/pEbBTCQjtf
What the Lakers have built so far is a track record of bad defense. Los Angeles is hovering towards the bottom of the NBA with a defensive rating of 116.7 in 2025-26.
The Lakers surrender an opponents effective field goal percentage of 56.3. That is in the company of bottom feeders such as the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers.
They are by far and away the team with the best record among the group. The Lakers have their elite offense and crunch-time heroics to thank for that.
As indicated by the 3-point barrages mentioned above, the Lakers are one of the worst teams in the NBA at guarding that shot. Los Angeles is surrendering 38.2 percent from beyond the arc to their opponents.
Their opponents also pass circles around them, creating easy looks in the process. The Lakers give up an average of 27.5 assists per game to their challengers.
Whether its via trade or internal improvements, to James' original point, these habits need to improve. The Oklahoma City Thunder are sprinting towards a championship and they are doing it on the backs of the top defense in the league. The Lakers can't compete by just being great at one end.