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JJ Redick Gets Real on What Doomed Lakers vs. Jazz

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Enzo Flojo | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 4:33 AM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a humbling 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, snapping their three-game winning streak and dropping to 32-20 on the season.

Just two nights after dismantling Utah by 29 points, the Lakers looked lethargic and disorganized, allowing the Jazz to practically dictate the tempo from start to finish.

Head coach JJ Redick did not mince words in his postgame assessment, delivering a brutal reality check on his team’s lack of urgency and effort.

Redick pointed to human nature as a factor in the Lakers' sluggish performance, acknowledging that teams can sometimes take their foot off the gas against an opponent they’ve already beaten multiple times.

However, Redick made it clear that there was no excuse for the lack of execution, calling out his team’s defensive breakdowns and lack of communication.

“We weren’t physical,” Redick said after the game, according to Lakers Daily. “We didn’t talk, never really got to a place in the game where we were talking and executing.”

JJ Redick: "We weren't physical. We didn't talk, never really got to a place in the game where we were talking and executing."
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) February 13, 2025

The Lakers, who entered the game with a 3-0 season record against the Jazz, struggled on both ends of the floor.

Utah capitalized on the L.A.'s defensive lapses, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and knocking down 15 3-pointers. The Lakers' usually potent offense lacked rhythm, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, in particular, combining for just 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting.

Redick’s harsh but honest critique signals a clear challenge to the Lakers: consistency and effort must be non-negotiable if they hope to contend.

With the Western Conference race tightening, the Lakers can’t afford to let complacency seep in. If Wednesday’s loss was a wake-up call, how they respond in their next game will reveal whether they truly absorbed Redick’s message.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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