Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has made it clear that the team's late-game performance against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday will not be repeated, emphasizing that players must be prepared to compete when called upon.
Redick expressed his dissatisfaction with how his team, particularly the players on the end of the bench, nearly squandered a significant lead in the final minutes of the game. With the Lakers leading 123-109 and 1:43 remaining, Redick substituted several key rotation players, expecting the remaining players to close out the victory. However, a rapid sequence of events saw the Raptors cut the deficit dramatically.
In less than a minute, the Raptors, led by Jamison Battle who scored eight straight points, reduced the Lakers' advantage from 15 points to single digits. This collapse included turnovers and quick scoring from the Raptors, prompting Redick to re-insert his main rotation players with 44 seconds left.
"I won't make that mistake again," Redick stated. "I'll leave the guys in. You gotta play to the final buzzer, and if guys are not ready to play, then I just won't put them in."
Redick specifically cited a 60-second span where the team's lead was drastically eroded. "We just didn't do a good job of taking care of the ball in that situation," he added.
Forward Jamison Battle was instrumental in the Raptors' surge, hitting multiple three-pointers and a floater in quick succession. The Lakers' lead dwindled from 124-109 to 124-116 before a Jaden Bradley and-1 layup further cut the deficit.
Players like outlet player Walker Kessler acknowledged the importance of staying ready, even in what might be considered "garbage minutes." "A lot of times as a player when you kind of get something like that in that point, you kind of look at it as garbage minutes but the reality is, every time you step on the court, you got to treat it like it's minutes to play the game," Kessler said. "Because my rookie and sophomore year, I got put in the garbage minutes and you got to play to the whistle because the reality is you're only going to get your shot."
Despite the scare, the Lakers ultimately secured the win with their starters back on the floor, but the experience served as a stark reminder of the need for consistent focus and readiness from all players on the roster.