Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

A longtime Lakers myth may actually be true

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Mar 30, 2025 9:13 AM ET

A conspiracy theory has floated in NBA circles for years that teams up their intensity (and miraculously get healthy) when the Los Angeles Lakers roll into town. The theory is rooted in the fact that the Purple and Gold play the most nationally televised games and have a perennial spotlight shining upon them.

The theory was tested Saturday when the Lakers visited the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant (hamstring) had missed the previous six games and was a game-time decision. L.A. head coach JJ Redick declared that he expected Morant to play hours before the game, citing a discovery made by his analytics department.

In the lead-up to the game, Redick said his analytics department had discovered that 86% of opponents' players have been available to play against Los Angeles this year, which ranks No. 1 in the league.

JJ Redick said the Lakers' analytics dept looked into the internet fan theory that opposing team players suddenly get healthy when it's time to play L.A. "I think it's like 86% of [opposing] payroll has been available to [play] us this year, which is by far No. 1 in the league"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 29, 2025

JJ Redick was asked about opposing players going against the Lakers, with the expectation that Morant returns tonight. Earlier this season Redick had his analytics group look into it, finding that 86% of opposing team’s players have been available, which was No. 1 in the NBA.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 29, 2025

Redick was proven right. Morant returned to the lineup, finishing with 22 points and 10 assists in his team's 134-127 loss.

Morant's return bolstered the Grizzlies' offense, with the team shooting an impressive 52.6% from the field and 43.8% against the Lakers. However, their defense, which ranks No. 20 since the All-Star break, was again exposed as Los Angeles poured in 134 points from just 89 field goal attempts.

The loss meant the Grizzlies (44-30) lost the regular-season series to the Lakers (45-29), thereby giving Redick's squad the tiebreaker. Los Angeles would seed higher if the teams finish with an identical record.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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