The Los Angeles Lakers were destroyed by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, and four starters being out forced head coach JJ Redick to admit the team is searching for a rotation. Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for weeks. He is doing everything possible to return, but LA will likely have to play their first round playoff series without Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers are down their top two scorers, but they aren’t giving up. They still have LeBron James. Luke Kennard has displayed ball-handling nobody expected with the two stars out. Los Angeles needs their role players to step up if they are going to pull a playoff upset.
The Lakers have just three games to go in the regular season. They will be in the playoffs and are fighting for positioning. LA will finish somewhere between third to fifth in the West, depending on how the final days unfold. This is not a great time to still be searching, but the injuries have forced the coach’s hand.
JJ Redick is searching for answers without Luka Doncic
Redick was asked about how things have changed after the injuries, and the head coach made it clear what he is looking for moving forward.
“I called the early timeout because Rui didn’t do his job, so I took him out of the game. We’ve got to find nine guys who are all-in on us fighting and are willing to go out on whatever metaphor you want to use.”
He made it clear he wants guys who are fully bought in on the team and trying to win.
Hachimura was not the only player Redick quickly benched on Tuesday night. Jarred Vanderbilt got into an argument with the head coach after being pulled just 16 seconds into the second quarter. The veteran forward never returned, but Redick said it was a “normal interaction” after the game.
LeBron and Marcus Smart should be back for the playoffs. Kennard, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes should be locked into the rotation. That leaves two spots that the coach is struggling to fill.
Ideally, Redick would play another guard, but Bronny James is his only option there. The 21-year-old isn’t ready for playoff minutes.
Maxi Kleber has struggled to stay healthy, but he is likely in the playoff rotation. The final spot is up for grabs over the final three regular-season contests.
Redick will have a quick hook, especially in the playoffs. Fans remember him using just five players for the entire second half of Game 4 in last year’s first-round series. He will shorten the rotation and do whatever he thinks gives his team the best chance to win.
The Los Angeles Lakers won’t have Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves in the opening round of the playoffs. They need other players to keep the season alive. Fans saw LA look like a serious title threat in March. That form could return if the Lakers survive long enough to get their stars back.
JJ Redick is doing everything possible, but their lack of depth will crush the purple and gold. That won’t stop them from trying. The head coach made that clear on Tuesday night.