JJ Redick said on May 10 that he is not giving up on the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite his team falling behind three games to none. The Lakers have struggled in the series, especially without Luka Doncic in the lineup, and have been unable to hold off late-game runs by the defending champions.
The situation is challenging for the Lakers as no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a playoff series. However, Redick remains determined. “In the third straight game, we’re right there after two-and-a-half quarters, and we tried different lineups, tried different coverages, still lost those minutes again. We’ve gotta get better,” Redick said after Game 3. “But I’m not giving up on the series, and we’re gonna go try to win on Monday. We’re gonna try to extend the series, and we’re gonna try to take this thing back to OKC.”
Redick has guided his team through injuries throughout the season. Earlier in these playoffs, few expected Los Angeles to defeat Houston in round one with both Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined. According to Redick’s comments after Game 3, he believes his players are committed: “He has gotten the most out of them as a result.”
Despite trailing against what he called “the best team in the league,” Redick emphasized that he would continue working until elimination is certain.
Redick also praised Oklahoma City for their adaptability during games: “Again, I think it’s, typically, if you can poke holes at a team in a playoff series, there’s a good chance they might have a temporary solution or can sort of adjust maybe a little bit,” Redick said. “This team, in-game, because of their personnel can just adjust like that… It’s just—they’re a terrific basketball team. I said that before the series. Been very impressed with them. Still think we can beat them but we gotta be better.”
Game 4 will take place Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.