Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ solid win over the Dallas Mavericks, the organization has officially clinched a berth in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Considering this is head coach JJ Redick’s first year with the LA Lakers, not many expected this outcome from the team.
In fact, many even labeled Redick inexperienced and unfit to take on the helm of a team of Lakers’ stature. Well, Redick has proved his doubters wrong and the Lakers’ 112-97 win over the Mavs highlighted one of his biggest strengths.
Luka Doncic was in the major spotlight as it was his first game back in Dallas since getting traded to the Purple and Gold. Doncic didn’t disappoint as he put on a 45-point scoring clinic, including 31 first-half points.
However, this was also Anthony Davis’ first game against his former team. Unfortunately, AD didn’t have a terrific night as he was restricted to just 13 points.
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins believes coach Redick deserves major credit for Davis’ quiet night on the floor.
“JJ has been coaching is a__ off. Hell of a game plan today on both ends. He completely took AD outta the game tonight. This is the 3rd time I’ve seen him do this to an elite Big season,” Perkins wrote on X.
The other two instances that Perkins mentioned was when the Lakers contained Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Thanks to Redick’s persistent double-team pressure on Davis, the 2020 NBA champ shot just 5-of-13 from the field in 33 minutes of playing time.
However, since then, the Lakers were barely a championship contender. Sure, they reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023, but it was through the Play-In Tournament..
In fact, this is the first time since 2020 that the Lakers won’t either be in the Play-In or miss the playoffs. If this isn’t a testament to coach Redick’s skills then nothing is.
The Lakers also have a chance at reaching 50 wins for the first time since their championship-winning season as well.
