The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing to shake things up as they look to halt a frustrating three-game losing streak. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed Sunday that the team will “do something different” with its starting lineup, though he declined to reveal specific starters ahead of tipoff. What he did make clear, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, is that Nick Smith Jr. is expected to see an expanded role with Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent sidelined.
The timing is telling. The lineup adjustment comes on the heels of a disappointing Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets, a game that prompted Redick to publicly question his team’s effort and focus. The loss dropped the Lakers to six defeats in their last 10 games, with every loss this season coming by double digits.
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After Tough Meeting, Redick Looks to Spark Lakers Change
That backdrop framed a rare, lengthy practice and what Redick described as an intentionally “uncomfortable” team meeting.
“Myself, I’m always going to look in the mirror first,” Redick said. “And I think it’s easy as a player, as a coach to say, ‘It’s this guy’s fault,’ or, ‘We’re not doing this because X, Y, and Z.’”
“The truth is uncomfortable,” he added. “And so you have to put everything out there.”
Center Deandre Ayton, who faced a barrage of questions after practice, acknowledged both the scrutiny and the urgency.
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Ayton took responsibility for defensive lapses, particularly after being outrebounded 48-25 by Houston. “Holding my guys accountable, especially starting with me,” he said. “This is how we’re going to play on defense — hard and [with] second efforts.”
Redick emphasized the reset was about “recalibration and reconnection,” with a renewed focus on defensive clarity, role clarity, and offensive organization. Rui Hachimura echoed that sentiment, admitting the team lost its edge. “We kind of got tired of winning,” he said.
Now, with injuries forcing rotation changes and accountability front and center, the Lakers will look to respond Sunday at home against the Sacramento Kings — with a new lineup and, they hope, a different result.