The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 8-4 in this 2024-25 season with a 120-115 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup on Friday. One of the many Lakers to impress on the night was Max Christie, who had been out of the rotation the last three games, and head coach JJ Redick sent him a message postgame.
"Really happy for Max," Redick said. "We've had two situations over the last week where a guy has been out of the rotation and then got back in the rotation. In Cam's (Reddish) case it was starting and then for Max to not be in the rotation for three games and to have the night he had. I'm just happy for him.
"It's obvious to me as his coach that he's capable of doing that every night because I've seen it for months," Redick continued. "We've had a number of discussions and I told him, I said, 'If you play that way, 'cause I've seen you do it, I don't wanna take you off the court.'
"The way that he fronted (Victor) Wembanyama when we went to red 1 through 5 just completely disrupted their half-court rhythm," Redick added. "Got a steal on one, but just thought the physicality, the intent to what his role is tonight was executed to perfection."
Christie didn't play at all in the Lakers' 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday and played just over two minutes combined in games against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors prior to that. Redick wasn't happy with how the 21-year-old had started the season and it looked like it might be a while before he gets some playing time.
Christie then got a bit of a break, though, when it was announced that Rui Hachimura would miss this game against the Spurs at Frost Bank Center due to an ankle injury. Redick said pregame that Christie would get more game time due to Hachimura's absence and the youngster delivered.
Christie played 30 minutes against the Spurs and finished with 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and a block. He shot 4-7 from the field, 1-3 from three, and 2-2 from the line as the Lakers made it four wins in a row. As Redick pointed out, Christie, who was a game-high +23, played some great defense as well.
Christie also fronted Victor Wembanyama well, getting a key steal in the fourth quarter that led to a three for Gabe Vincent.
If Christie keeps this up, Redick will be more than happy to give him a ton of minutes. It was looking like the Lakers might have made a mistake when they gave the guard that four-year, $32 million deal in the offseason, but they knew this was what he was capable of.
Christie's next opportunity to shine will come when the Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday at 8 PM IST. The Pelicans come into that game after ending a six-game losing streak with a win over the Denver Nuggets but I don't expect them to make it back-to-back victories.
