On March 10, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered yet another disappointment as they fell 111-108 to the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. Coach JJ Redick, visibly frustrated after the loss, did not mince words when addressing the team's overall performance, which was marred by poor execution and communication issues.
The Lakers entered the game without their superstar LeBron James, who is sidelined due to a strained left groin, along with Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jaxson Hayes, making their already challenging task even tougher. Despite briefly holding a 15-point lead, the game quickly unraveled, prompting Redick to voice his concerns about the team's mentality. "It was just an overall mentality to take shortcuts tonight. We just wanted to take shortcuts," Redick stated post-game.
Luka Doncic, who was expected to shoulder the offensive load, recorded another triple-double—finishing the game with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. But his shooting was far from sharp, going only 8-of-26 from the field when the Lakers needed him most. "Just should’ve madebetter decisions onthat one. I think we started the game doinga really good job, good decisions, and then just went kind of out of it," Doncic analyzed, reflecting on the game's progression.
Another impactful yet inconsistent player was Austin Reaves. He contributed 17 points but did so on just 3-of-14 shooting. Reaves echoed Redick's frustrations, admitting, "I just thought I played incredibly bad. That’s really, you know, about as much as I can say aboutthat. It’sfrustrtingnot helpingyourteam win." His performance, along with Doncic's struggles, highlighted the gap left by the absent stars of the team, especially during key moments of the game.
Cameron Johnson was instrumental for the Nets, scoring 18 points, including key baskets during clutch moments, particularly when he hit a pivotal jumper over Doncic to take Brooklyn's lead to 106-100 with less than one minute on the clock. The Lakers fought back, with Doncic hitting a long three-pointer to narrow the gap, but they could not pull through. The team's execution faltered, particularly against Brooklyn's blitz defense which forced numerous turnovers. The Lakers recorded five turnovers attributed directly to Doncic, alongside other issues with ball movement and communication across the court.
Taking responsibility for their synergy issues, Doncic acknowledged, "When JJ said about communication today, it was important. That’s my fault and we should have donebetter." This recognition signals not just accountability but also the need for the team to combat such challenges moving forward, especially with their playoff hopes on the line.
Redick's stern critique noted how passive the team's performance was overall: "I think it was very low-level communication game for our team. I don’t think being short-handed is an excuse for how we played basketball tonight." His remarks reflect his expectations for the remaining roster to rise to the occasion, even when the big names are unavailable.
The Lakers, currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 40-23, are well aware they cannot afford to let their struggling performance define them as the playoffs approach. With two days off before facing the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets on March 13 and 14, respectively, the upcoming games will serve as pivotal moments for the team. They must find ways to compete and adjust their game strategy without their key players.
This criticism of shortcuts and inattentiveness serves as motivation for the players. They must now adopt the "next man up" mentality to navigate through injuries and setbacks. Reaves emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, adding, "Everybody's got to buy intothel team to be successful. And like I’ve said two or three times already, I’ve got to bebetter. I mean, we’ll start there with me. I got to bebetter." This resolve may be pivotal as they look to regain momentum against tough opponents.
With shifting dynamics within the roster, the Lakers must rally quickly if they hope to maintain their status as a contender. Redick's emphasis on diligence and commitment could fortify their approach as they headout for the upcoming challenges. The next few games against formidable teams will define their resolve to adapt without key players and to execute effectively—an evolution necessary for turning around their current losing streak.