The Los Angeles Lakers have officially found their offensive groove, and head coach JJ Redick believes the timing couldn’t be better. After a thrilling 134-127 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Redick acknowledged that this may be the most in-sync the Lakers have looked on the offensive side of the ball all season.
"Yeah, I would agree with that. I think there's always stuff you can improve on, and you don't want to say, like, ah, this is the best we can play offensively. We've played as well as we have played so far offensively."
"A big part of that, I thought, was not just those three guys but Doe, Rui, Gabe—their shot-making, particularly at times when we played a five-laser lineup. And just, you know, Doe missed a couple, I told him to keep shooting, and he made a couple, and I thought that was great."
"Rui had the big one in the corner over there opposite their bench, and then Vando, you know, his—because of their overhelps—like he was able to operate a little bit in that first half, which was great. Offensively, like, I think it was a good game for us."
"Because we didn't just see one thing either. They played a small lineup with switching. They played Edey in a heavy drop. They did a bunch of different stuff. They played Jaren Jackson Jr. at the five—like, they did a bunch of stuff—and we were able to channel change when they channel changed."
He wasn't just talking about the stars, though. Redick praised the contributions from role players like Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent, especially when the Lakers went to their smaller "five-laser" lineup.
The Grizzlies threw a variety of defensive coverages at Los Angeles. From running a small lineup with heavy switching, to using Zach Edey in a deep drop, to inserting Jaren Jackson Jr. at the five, Memphis tried just about everything. But Redick praised his team’s ability to “channel change” and adjust on the fly.
While the role players provided crucial support, the engine of this offensive explosion was once again the Lakers' Big 3—LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
All three had at least 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists, two three-pointers made, one steal, and three turnovers. It marked the first time in NBA history that a trio put up those stats in a single game.
Reaves led the way with 31 points on 76% true shooting. Doncic followed with 29 points, nine assists, and eight boards, while LeBron chipped in with 25 points and eight dimes. Together, they combined for 85 points, 21 rebounds, and 25 assists while accounting for 120 of the team’s 134 total points.
Earlier in the year, it was the Lakers’ defense that was carrying them during a strong stretch between late January and early March. But lately, that elite defensive form has cooled off. Fortunately for L.A., the offense has picked up the slack—and if they can rediscover even a portion of their defensive identity in the postseason, this team could be terrifying.
With just eight games left in the regular season and the Lakers sitting at 45-29, firmly in the fourth spot in the West, Redick's squad is rounding into form at the perfect time. The pieces are clicking. The stars are shining. And if this offense truly is peaking, no team will want to see the Lakers in a seven-game series.
