UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a crushing 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 19, 2023, raising urgent questions about their defensive commitment. Lakers coach JJ Redick delivered a stark assessment, stating that his team simply does not have enough players willing to exert consistent effort and physicality.
The Lakers have now lost three of their last five games and have faced double-digit defeats in all nine losses this season. Despite holding a record of 19-9 and ranking fourth in the Western Conference, their cumulative point differential stands at just plus-8 over 28 games.
During the critical third quarter against the Suns, the Lakers were outscored 45-29 and allowed Phoenix to shoot an astounding 72.7% from the field, including 83.3% from beyond the arc. Redick stressed that the team practices defensive principles regularly, but it ultimately comes down to player choice.
“It’s just a choice,” Redick said. “There are shortcuts you can take or you can do the hard thing… But can you make the vast majority of them correctly? It gives you a chance to win.”
In the absence of key players Luka Doncic (calf contusion) and Rui Hachimura (groin soreness), LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points in just 26 minutes. Austin Reaves, returning from a calf strain, contributed 17 points off the bench.
Health issues have plagued the Lakers this season, highlighted by James’ earlier absence of 14 games due to sciatica. Yet, both James and Reaves echoed that performance must improve regardless of personnel.
“It has to be five guys on a string,” James emphasized, reaffirming a recurring theme this season. Reaves added, “Everybody has got to be locked in every single possession.”
Former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart did not hold back, stating, “We’re being real s—ty right now, and it’s showing.” He expressed frustration over crucial defensive lapses, stating, “There’s no help, there’s no resistance, there’s no urgency.”
With the trade deadline looming in just six weeks, the Lakers could face significant changes if their defensive struggles continue. This loss against Phoenix serves as a stark reminder that, without a collective commitment to defense, their season may spiral further out of control.
As the Lakers gear up for their next challenge on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, fans are left wondering if Redick’s calls for a “choice” will resonate with his players. The urgency for improvement has never been clearer.
