Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on April 9 that with the team’s top scorers out due to injury and the playoffs approaching, several players will have a chance to take on bigger roles. One of those players is rookie second-round pick Adou Thiero, who has missed much of the season because of injury but recently showed promise in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thiero spoke after Tuesday night’s game about his mindset as he tries to secure postseason playing time. “You could say I’m looking at it like that for sure,” Thiero said regarding his pursuit of playoff minutes. “But just trying to go out there and keep building my own confidence and building the coaches’ confidence to put more trust in me and let me go and show what I can do in those situations.”
In that game, Thiero had what he called his best performance so far, recording 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He also went to the free throw line ten times but converted only five attempts.
Thiero emphasized his commitment to stepping up for the team during this period: “JJ has been preaching next man up all season, so just kind of looking at it like that, as an opportunity,” he said. “Guys are down, trying to go out and see what we’re made of.”
While injuries have sidelined key players such as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ahead of the postseason, they also create opportunities for others like Thiero. If he can contribute defensively and provide energy while remaining reliable on offense, it could help both him and the team moving forward.
Additionally, veteran guard Marcus Smart—who has missed several games with a right ankle contusion—is expected by Redick to return before the playoffs begin.
