The Los Angeles Lakers endured a significant setback on December 25, 2023, suffering a 119-96 defeat against the Houston Rockets. This marked the team’s third consecutive loss and their sixth in the last ten games, prompting head coach JJ Redick to express serious concerns about his players’ commitment to professionalism.
Redick’s frustration was palpable as he addressed the media after the game. “We don’t care enough right now,” he stated, emphasizing the need for immediate improvement. The coach highlighted that the team’s lack of effort and execution is detrimental to their performance. “It bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough to be a professional,” he added.
The game was largely one-sided, with the Rockets establishing a 14-point lead in the first quarter and maintaining control throughout. Houston outperformed Los Angeles in rebounding, securing 48 boards to the Lakers’ 25, including 17 offensive rebounds. This disparity in effort was a key factor in the outcome.
Redick pointed out that the team’s struggles have become alarmingly consistent. “The two words of the day were effort and execution,” he remarked. “When we’ve done both of those things at a high level, we’ve been a good basketball team; when we haven’t, we’re a terrible basketball team. And tonight we were a terrible basketball team.”
A critical factor in the game was the return of Luka Doncic, who had missed the previous game due to a left calf contusion. Despite leading the Lakers with 25 points and 7 assists, Doncic also recorded a team-high of six turnovers, reflecting the team’s overall struggle to maintain control. “I don’t know what has to change, but definitely something needs to change,” Doncic admitted post-game. He noted the team’s poor performance over the last three games, stating that they must have open discussions to address their issues.
Adding to the Lakers’ challenges, Austin Reaves exited the game at halftime due to soreness in his left calf. An MRI is scheduled for Friday to assess the injury’s severity. The absence of Reaves, along with the impact of other players like Rui Hachimura, who also returned from injury, left the team searching for solutions.
The performance of seasoned player LeBron James was also concerning, as he contributed 18 points but finished the game with a minus-33 rating, marking one of his worst performances as a Laker. Following the game, James, Hachimura, and Marcus Smart declined to comment, leaving it to role players Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt to provide insight into the team’s current state.
“There might be a disconnect right now,” LaRavia noted, urging the need for the team to regroup and find their focus. Vanderbilt echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the critical point the season has reached. “Ultimately, certain stuff just needs to be said and certain stuff needs to be done,” he said. “We don’t want this to keep lingering. And right now it’s three in a row, but we don’t want it to keep going the wrong direction.”
As the Lakers prepare for their next matchup against the Sacramento Kings on December 31, 2023, Redick has indicated that Saturday’s practice will be a pivotal moment for the team. “It’s going to be uncomfortable,” he warned, stressing the importance of addressing the underlying issues head-on. The Lakers must find a way to restore their competitive spirit if they hope to turn their season around and avoid further disappointing results.
