Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Download
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024-2025 regular season
    • 2024 preseason
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Max Christie Discusses Move To Starting Lineup & Defending Ja Morant
Lakers News

Lakers News: Max Christie Discusses Move To Starting Lineup & Defending Ja Morant

Corey Hansford
Published: 12/16/2024
5 Min Read
Max Christie, Ja Morant, Lakers, Grizzlies
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 15: Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) guarded by Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (12) during the Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers game on December 15, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SHARE

Head coach JJ Redick brought out a new starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies as Max Christie got the nod in the backcourt next to Austin Reaves. His primary task was to contain Grizzlies’ All-Star guard Ja Morant and Christie put in a stellar performance.

Obviously slowing someoone like Morant down takes a team effort, but Christie was was the point person and his efforts stood out. Morant finished with just 20 points on 6-of-21 shooting while also committing seven turnovers in the Lakers’ 116-110 victory.

Afterwards, Christie spoke on when he found out he would be starting, and his focus in defending Morant.

“He told me a little while before the game that I was gonna start and it was kind of just ‘You’re gonna start, we want you to bring energy and effort on the defensive end,'” Christie said. “Obviously my main assignment tonight was Ja Morant so my mind was kind of just focused on trying to make it as tough as I could for him. He’s a really dynamic player, he’s a really good player. So wanted to just do as good of a job as I can to just kind of make it tough for him. I thought I did a decent job of that tonight.”

It was a full team effort from the Lakers on both ends of the floor to come away with one of their best wins of the year. And if they want to keep that going moving forward, Christie feels it all starts on defense.

“I think it starts on the defensive end for us,” Christie added. “I think we did a really good job of just kind of keeping the ball in front for the most part. They’re really good at driving the ball middle, they’re really good at cutting when they drive middle, they have a good wheel action that they run.

“So I thought we did a decent job defending that and then offensively I thought we got to the free throw line a good amount and got a lot of layups and dunks, a lot of easy baskets, something we kind of emphasized as a team before the game, how we need some easy baskets. I think we got plenty of those tonight from dunks and layups and backdoor cuts and whatnot. Then Bron and AD, AD had a 40-point game. He’s phenomenal obviously on the offensive end so that helps. But Bron had a good game coming back, AR had a great game coming back. So it was a collection of a lot of things for sure.”

Anthony Davis undoubtedly led the way with his 40-point, 16-rebound performance, but Christie played his role very well and if he can continue to do so, and the Lakers get solid contributions from the rest of their role players, they will be a much better team as this season goes on.

JJ Redick happy with Lakers ‘gameplan discipline’ vs. Grizzlies

In previous losses, the Lakers have spoken about how they aren’t executing the gameplans given to them by JJ Redick and the coaching staff. But against the Grizzlies, Redick was very satisfied with the Lakers sticking to the plan.

“Against those guys, you have to play as hard as them at the very least to have the chance to win,” Redick said. “I thought our guys did that. I thought our gameplan discipline was really good.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Ja MorantJJ RedickLos Angeles LakersMax ChristieMemphis Grizzlies
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
eric-lakers@gmail.com _

Los Angeles Lakers

27.8K Subscribers
Add to Calendar
POWERED BY
calendar_view_day
No Upcoming Events
Add to Calendar and you'll be the first to know when new events are announced.
Past Events
THU

1

may
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Thu, May 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)
SUN

27

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sun, Apr 27 | 7:30 PM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(113)
SAT

26

apr
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
Sat, Apr 26 | 1:30 AM · Target Center, 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
Lakers (L) at Timberwolves (W)
✔ Minnesota Timberwolves(116) - Los Angeles Lakers(104)
WED

23

apr
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
Wed, Apr 23 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(94) - Minnesota Timberwolves(85)
SUN

20

apr
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
Sun, Apr 20 | 12:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Timberwolves (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(95) - Minnesota Timberwolves(117)
SUN

13

apr
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
Sun, Apr 13 | 7:30 PM · Moda Center, 1 Center Court, Portland, OR
Lakers (L) at Trail Blazers (W)
✔ Portland Trail Blazers(109) - Los Angeles Lakers(81)
SAT

12

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 12 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(140) - Houston Rockets(109)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
Wed, Apr 9 | 11:30 PM · American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Avenue, Dallas, TX
Lakers (W) at Mavericks (L)
✔ Dallas Mavericks(97) - Los Angeles Lakers(112)
WED

9

apr
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
Wed, Apr 9 | 12:00 AM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (L) at Thunder (W)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(136) - Los Angeles Lakers(120)
SUN

6

apr
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
Sun, Apr 6 | 7:30 PM · Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK
Lakers (W) at Thunder (L)
✔ Oklahoma City Thunder(99) - Los Angeles Lakers(126)
SAT

5

apr
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
Sat, Apr 5 | 2:30 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Pelicans (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(124) - New Orleans Pelicans(108)
FRI

4

apr
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
Fri, Apr 4 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Warriors (W) at Lakers (L)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(116) - Golden State Warriors(123)
TUE

1

apr
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
Tue, Apr 1 | 2:00 AM · Crypto.com Arena, 1111 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA
Rockets (L) at Lakers (W)
✔ Los Angeles Lakers(104) - Houston Rockets(98)
SUN

30

mar
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
Sun, Mar 30 | 12:00 AM · FedExForum, 191 Beale Street, Memphis, TN
Lakers (W) at Grizzlies (L)
✔ Memphis Grizzlies(127) - Los Angeles Lakers(134)
FRI

28

mar
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
Fri, Mar 28 | 12:00 AM · United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Lakers (L) at Bulls (W)
✔ Chicago Bulls(119) - Los Angeles Lakers(117)
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?