Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

J.J. Redick Makes Blunt Admission on Missing LeBron James After Tuesday Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 9:22 AM ET

Key Points:

J.J. Redick clearly missed LeBron James
The Lakers fell to the Warriors on Opening Night
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves kept the ship afloat in his absence

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in LA as they were forced to make do without LeBron James, who has been battling a sciatica issue on his right side.

The Lakers trailed throughout the first three quarters of the game and outscored Steve Kerr's team 30-29 in the final stanza, but it wasn't enough as the Lakers lost, 119-109.

Following the game, Lakers coach J.J. Redick couldn't help but speak about the gaping hole in the Lakers' lineup left by the absence of James as he outlined a scenario in which his talents would have been put to good use had he been able to play.

Oct 5, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23), wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat, smiles after watching his son, guard Bronny James (9), dunk a rebound against the Golden State Warriors in the third quarter at Chase Center. Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Redick's LeBron James Admission

Redick did his best to explain his mindset as coach with James out of the lineup on day one of the NBA season.

"It's hard to forget about LeBron; the reality is you're focused on the group that you have, you gotta make that group work," Redick said.

"I'll be honest with you I did have one moment in that first half when we had a few possessions we couldn't score against the zone, I'd be like, ah, it'd be great to have LeBron just to throw it to the high post," Redick added in a raw, honest moment.

Doncic Stars, Reaves Starts Off Strong

A slimmed-down Luka Doncic led the Lakers in scoring with 43 points on the night along with 12 rebounds while Austin Reaves added 26 points and nine assists for the Lake Show.

Deandre Ayton was the only other Laker who scored in double digits on the night as Steve Kerr's Warriors spoiled the Opening Night party in Tinseltown.

The Warriors got 17 points each from Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield, 23 from Stephen Curry and 31 from Jimmy Butler III in a winning effort.

The Lakers' loss stung, and revealed more than a few holes in a Redick lineup that doesn't quite feel right without James in it.

Next up for LA is a home game against the Timberwolves followed by a road game in Sacramento against the Kings with Redick and Lakers fans awaiting James' return.

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

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