Despite being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes the team showed encouraging signs of building a championship foundation. The season ended Monday night in Los Angeles, but Redick remained proud of what the team accomplished.
“In terms of the goals we set—developing championship habits, building championship communication, and reaching a championship state—I think we came very close. That doesn’t mean we win the title, but I’m incredibly proud of every player, what they went through, and what we achieved as a group,” Redick said after the series loss.
The Lakers had an uneven start to the regular season but found their rhythm late, winning 16 of 18 games from late February to early April. During that stretch, LeBron James took a step back, while Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves emerged as the primary offensive options. But on April 2, during a game against the Thunder, both Dončić and Reaves suffered injuries that sidelined them indefinitely. Reaves returned for the playoffs, but Dončić never did.
Despite those setbacks, the Lakers maintained their unity and high morale entering the postseason. Their first-round series win over the Houston Rockets highlighted that resilience: even shorthanded, they raced to a 3-0 lead and closed out the series in Game 6 on the road, with Reaves back in the lineup and the Rockets riding a wave of momentum.
Now, the Lakers face a critical offseason. The front office must upgrade the roster to compete with the Thunder’s depth, while also addressing free agency decisions involving James, Reaves, and Rui Hachimura.
“You never know in training camp what you’ll become,” Redick added. “I’m just proud of who we are now.”
Redick also emphasized the smaller victories along the way. “Winning 50 games, earning home-court advantage in the first round… Our resilience during the season, especially with all the injuries, and in the playoffs—that was one of our biggest wins. We had many chances to give up, but we didn’t. Tonight would have been an easy night to give up. I don’t believe in ‘moral victories,’ but all the small wins are part of the journey.”