The Lakers broke their losing streak in dominant fashion on Sunday, earning high praise from head coach JJ Redick for their energy and execution against the Suns.
Returning home after a brutal road trip was a welcome relief for the team. The stretch of away games was initially seen as a test for a squad still adjusting after acquiring Luka Dončić. However, injuries quickly derailed their plans, leaving the Lakers short-handed in a tough loss to the Nuggets on Friday.
Sunday’s game against Phoenix was a chance to reset, but such games often turn into trap situations—where teams let their guard down after a long trip. The Lakers, however, did the opposite. They came out aggressive from the opening tip, set the tone early, and secured a well-earned victory.
Redick’s High Praise
After the game, Redick couldn’t hold back his admiration for his team’s mentality and performance.
“It’s rare for a team to return from an East Coast trip and immediately play with more energy than their opponent,” Redick said. “On top of that, we were coming off a back-to-back and a heartbreaking loss on Friday. That loss was tough on our locker room. But for our guys to bounce back, start strong, and be the harder-playing team from the beginning—that says everything about this group.
“This was a completely different type of game from the one against Denver—almost the opposite in terms of strategy and offensive approach. And yet, our guys executed both times. Coming off four straight losses, their performance tonight was phenomenal.”
A New Mentality for the Lakers
This level of effort and intensity is a refreshing change for the Lakers. In previous years, they often started games flat, credited the other team for playing harder, and simply moved on.
That mindset has changed under Redick and his coaching staff. The addition of players like Gabe Vincent, Jordan Goodwin, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Trey Jemison has also played a key role. These players bring relentless energy every night, ensuring that effort is never in question.
While execution can vary from game to game, effort is always within a team’s control. This Lakers squad consistently plays with high energy, making off-nights rare. Among the many positive changes Redick has introduced, this commitment to effort and intensity might be the most important.
Leave a Reply