UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers are reeling from a devastating 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on December 25, 2023, marking their third consecutive defeat and sixth in their last ten games. After the game, coach JJ Redick delivered a scathing critique of his team’s lack of professionalism, stating, “We don’t care enough right now.”
This dismal performance has raised alarm bells in Los Angeles, as Redick emphasized the urgent need for change before their next game against the Sacramento Kings on December 31. “Saturday’s practice is going to be uncomfortable,” he warned. “I’m not doing another 53 games like this.”
The Lakers struggled mightily against the Rockets, falling behind by 14 points in the first quarter and never recovering. “The two words of the day were effort and execution,” Redick lamented. “When we’ve done both, we’ve been a good basketball team; when we haven’t, we’re terrible.”
Despite the return of star player Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 25 points and 7 assists, the team was plagued by turnovers and poor execution. Doncic himself acknowledged the need for a turnaround, stating, “I don’t know what has to change, but definitely something needs to change. We just got to talk about it.”
Compounding their woes, the Lakers lost another key player, Austin Reaves, at halftime due to calf soreness. Reaves, who had previously missed three games, will undergo an MRI on December 29, leaving his future participation uncertain.
As the Lakers face mounting pressure, Redick’s comments underscore a pivotal moment for the franchise. “It’s a matter of making the choice,” he said. “Too often, we have guys that don’t want to make that choice.”
With the team’s performance under scrutiny, players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia have voiced concerns about team cohesion. Vanderbilt noted, “Ultimately, certain stuff just needs to be said and done. We got to be able to communicate with each other.”
The Lakers’ struggles have become a topic of concern for fans and analysts alike, as all ten of their losses this season have been by ten points or more. The urgency for improvement is palpable as the team prepares for their next crucial matchup.
As fans await the results of Reaves’ MRI and the team’s efforts to regroup, one thing is clear: the Lakers must address these issues swiftly or risk further decline in their season.