The Lakers finally respond to JJ Redick’s call for change, rallying to beat the Jazz
When Brice Sensabaugh drilled an open 3-pointer in the third quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick immediately called a timeout and began gesturing with both hands at his players, clearly showing his displeasure with their defense.
The Lakers responded.
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They mostly ramped up their defensive intensity for a big spurt in the fourth quarter, slowing down the Utah Jazz, and in the process the Lakers’ offense took off, the two converging at just the right time to propel them to a 143-135 victory Thursday night at Delta Center.
The Lakers gave up 41 points in the first quarter and 78 in the first half. They allowed 57 points in the second half and put the Jazz away by scoring 41 points in the fourth quarter.
“Obviously we know this Utah team can score points at a very high rate, but it was critical to stop the game,” said LeBron James, who had another productive night with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. “We had to get stops to start that quarter and then it allowed our offense to click.”
But even with the Lakers building a 12-point lead in the quarter, the Jazz continued to pressure LA’s defense, coming within four points by the end of the game.
Lebron James of the Lakers dunks Kyle Filipowski of the Jazz at the Delta Center on Thursday night in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
The Lakers had answers every time, keeping the game in hand thanks to Luka Doncic’s triple double: 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
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His 45 triple-double points and five steals made Doncic the second player in NBA history to accomplish a similar feat since steals became official in 1973-74. Detroit Cade Cunningham (46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals) is the other player to do so, producing it against the Wizards in November 2025 in overtime.
Doncic was 14 of 28 from the field, four of 12 from three-point range and had just one turnover in 39 minutes, 33 seconds of play.
Doncic was also the first Laker to record a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson in 1981.
“I think, honestly, I could do a lot more,” Doncic said. “But I think one turnover is the best statistic on this stat sheet. So, we had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us, and we won the game. And again, that’s what matters. But I think we blocked a lot in the second half. We did a great job.”
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The Lakers got a scare when James went down clutching his left knee after a collision with Utah’s Walter Clayton Jr..
James was dribbling the ball near the three-point arc when Clayton went for a steal, but instead his knee hit the inside of James’ knee, knocking the Laker to the floor with 7:52 left in the second quarter.
James eventually got up and continued playing, resting with 4:53 left in the half.
James described what happened during the show.
“Just a little bump in the knee, like a sharp pain in the knee,” James said. “I got kneed on the inside, like the medial side of the knee. And I just wanted to take some time while it calmed down or whatever the case was. Or hoping it would calm down. I told Mike (Mancias) my coach, I said, ‘We dodged a bullet there.’ “
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The Lakers were already without starters Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), but then added key player Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness) to the injury list, leaving them without three key players entering Utah. Vincent will be re-evaluated in a week.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates after playing during the second half of the win over the Jazz Thursday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Jaxson Hayes started at center in place of Ayton and Smart started at guard for Reaves.
Injuries also affected the Jazz, as forward Lauri Markkanen, the NBA’s ninth-leading scorer (27.8) this season, was out with a right groin injury.
Smart had 17 points, including his three-of-four three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
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Hayes had 16 points, making all seven of his field goals.
Redick spoke to his team at halftime about their poor defensive effort and did so again in the third quarter during that timeout.
His message was simple.
“The players have to go out and do it,” Redick said. “So it’s not like that, I don’t know if it stimulated them or not, and I just know that they were better afterward.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.