Lakers' Defensive Woes, Redick’s Sideline Frustration, and the Weight of Expectations
The Lakers took a tough one on the chin Tuesday night in Phoenix, falling to the Suns by 24 points in a game that exposed more than just a bad shooting night or a flat performance. This wasn’t just a one-off. For a team with championship aspirations, the 132-108 loss wasn’t simply about the scoreboard-it was about the patterns that continue to haunt this roster.
Let’s start with the defense, or lack thereof. That’s been the recurring theme all season for the 2025-26 Lakers.
When they’ve struggled, it’s usually been on that end of the floor. Against the Suns, the defensive lapses weren’t just noticeable-they were glaring.
Rotations were late, closeouts were lazy, and Phoenix took full advantage, moving the ball with ease and finding open looks all night. The Lakers looked a step behind, and in today’s NBA, that’s all it takes to get run off the floor.
But the issues weren’t just between the lines-they spilled over to the sideline, too. Head coach JJ Redick was visibly frustrated during the game, and that frustration boiled over in a moment that’s now making waves. Redick reportedly called out rookie Dalton Knecht for not recognizing a “Flood” play-a common offensive concept where the offense overloads one side of the floor to force the defense into difficult rotations.
It’s a fundamental read, and Redick clearly expected Knecht to be on the same page. But instead of the moment serving as a teaching point, it became a flashpoint.
Cameras caught the exchange, and fans were quick to react-not in defense of Redick, but in criticism of him. Many felt the coach’s approach was more damaging than constructive, especially for a young player still finding his footing in the league.
And that’s where things get tricky. While Redick’s coaching pedigree is still in its early stages, the pressure cooker of L.A. doesn’t allow much room for on-the-job training. Fans questioned whether calling out a rookie publicly was the right move, especially when the team’s reliance on stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves has already raised concerns about overuse and long-term sustainability.
The Lakers are sitting fourth in the Western Conference, and on paper, they’re still very much in the mix for a deep playoff run. But peel back the layers, and there are cracks in the foundation. Strip away Dončić, Reaves, and the ever-resilient LeBron James, and suddenly this team looks vulnerable-on both ends of the floor.
That’s not to say the sky is falling in L.A., but it does highlight a growing concern: the Lakers’ margin for error is razor-thin. Depth has been an issue, and the development of younger players like Knecht is going to be crucial down the stretch. If they’re not getting the reps-or the confidence from their coach-it’s hard to see how this team sustains a playoff push over the long haul.
Redick, for his part, is learning what every NBA head coach eventually does: it’s not just about X’s and O’s, it’s about managing personalities, building trust, and developing talent. The Lakers have the star power to compete with anyone. But if they want to be more than just a top-four seed, they’ll need more than just their big names to show up.
Tuesday night in Phoenix wasn’t just a loss-it was a reminder. The Lakers have the pieces, but they’re still figuring out how to put the puzzle together. And time, as always in L.A., is ticking.