Doc Rivers, the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, has confirmed that the team will be without its most sensational star because
Following his first win as head coach on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers handed the ball to youngster JJ Redick. In their third preseason game of the year, the Lakers overcame the Milwaukee Bucks, securing their first victory under Redick with a comeback in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers were in danger of dropping their third consecutive game on Thursday after losing their first two preseason games to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns. At the start of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were still six points behind the Bucks.
However, the Lakers were unable to maintain that lead. The Lakers outscored the Bucks 33–20 in the fourth quarter to win 107–102 after putting up an incredible effort, at one point scoring 20 points in a row without a response.
Dalton Knecht, a rookie with the Lakers, contributed significantly to the team’s first victory. In a team-high 34 minutes of play, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Knecht said after the game that Redick’s game ball was “cool,” but they’re hoping to get him one in June, when the NBA Finals are held.
Knecht stated, “We’ve got that game ball for him,” through Dave McMenamin. “The first one’s cool, but he knows he’s got a whole bunch of them and we’ll be there June and get some more.”
For the first time since they won their 17th NBA title in team history in 2020, the Lakers are hopeful Redick will be the coach who takes them back to the NBA Finals. The Lakers chose to take a risk on Redick despite the fact that he had no coaching experience previous to being appointed as head coach and has since worked in broadcasting following the conclusion of his playing career.
However, before the regular season starts, the Lakers have three more preseason games left, including two against the Golden State Warriors and one against the Suns. Redick’s first chance to secure a significant victory as head coach will come on October 22, when the Lakers host the Timberwolves to begin the season.
