Head coach JJ Redick hasn’t been pleased with the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense during the 2025-26 season, especially recently as the team has give up several high-scoring performances.
While the Lakers have still managed to win games, it’s clear that their defensive deficiencies could be their downfall.
Redick said he was looking at everything to fix the defense, and it appeared he might have needed to try harder as Los Angeles gave up another scoring outburst to the Utah Jazz.
L.A. allowed 78 points in the first half to a Jazz team without Lauri Markkanen. Fortunately, the Lakers were able to lock in during the second half to earn the win and Redick credited the team for tightening up defensively, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Our defense in the first half was not good. Another game where, it’s becoming a theme with our team, they shoot 15 points over expected. They made five more 3s than expected. I can count in my brain the ones that were ridiculous shotmaking. Challenged them at halftime, I thought our defense was much better in the second half. It wasn’t perfect but it was much better. The guys that came off the bench, Vando, Maxi, Jake, in the second half, really changed the game for us with their multiple efforts. And again, another point of emphasis, just winning the possession battle.
“You think about special teams in football and quality control and all that stuff, those are the guys that are gonna make a difference with that. Just getting you extra possessions. Maxi had an amazing chasedown block, got the rebound, drew a foul. Vando on the offensive glass, Jake had a putback in the second half. So again, those guys were excellent.”
While Redick was right to point out that L.A. still gave up 57 points in the second half, it was a better showing than their play through the first two quarters. The bench unit did its part to spark their run, notably Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia who were active defensively and on the boards.
As of now, the Lakers have a hard time being taken seriously as a contender due to their defensive woes. Unless something changes with the roster, Redick will just have to hope they can cobble together enough stops when it matters.
Lakers head coach challenged Luka Doncic and LeBron James
With Austin Reaves out, Redick has needed to lean on Luka Doncic and LeBron James more than usual. However, Redick also challenged the Lakers stars to give more defensively, which they did in the second half against the Jazz.
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