The Los Angeles Lakers were on an absolute rampage over the past couple of weeks. They bulldozed their way to the top of the Western Conference, torching eight opponents in a row. Luka Dončić and LeBron James were leading the charge, showcasing complete mastery of the game and outmaneuvering their rivals in every department.
And then, just like that, they lost their momentum. First, the Boston Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, put them to the test in a 111-101 victory on March 8.
Then, on Monday, March 10, the Brooklyn Nets overpowered them with a narrow 111-108 win. Their rookie coach, JJ Redick, was visibly frustrated over the stinging defeat and called out the team, particularly Dončić, for their disappointing play.
Lakers’ HC Blasts Team for Lackluster Performance
When the Lakers locked horns with the Nets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, many expected a comfortable win for the LA squad. But the Nets stood their ground, capitalizing on the absence of LeBron James to pull off a shocking victory.
In the postgame interview, no one appeared more disappointed than head coach Redick, and rightly so. The high-flying Lakers had just lost to a team sitting near the bottom of its conference and coming off a seven-game losing streak.
“Very low-level communication game for our team… I don’t think being short-handed is an excuse for how we played basketball tonight.”
JJ Redick speaks with @LakersReporter and the media after tonight’s loss in Brooklyn. Get closer to the action on Spectrum SportsNet+ with the… pic.twitter.com/xs3etpZuVT
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 11, 2025
“I think it was a very low-level communication game for our team,” Redick said. “I don’t think being short-handed is an excuse for how we played basketball tonight.”
Redick didn’t mince his words when addressing the defeat, bluntly pointing out a lack of communication and players failing to put in their best effort.
MORE: Visibly Upset Luka Dončić Calls Out NBA Officials as Mind-Blowing Stat from Lakers Loss Surfaces
Luka Dončić Takes Responsibility for the Loss
When Dončić was asked about Redick’s scathing criticism, the Slovenian superstar didn’t back down from taking responsibility.
Speaking about their lackluster performance, particularly their poor communication, the five-time NBA All-Star made a blunt three-word confession:
“That’s my fault.”
Luka Doncic when asked about JJ Redick calling out the Lakers’ lack of communication on offense tonight, said: “That’s my fault”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 11, 2025
The Lakers were leading by as many as 15 points early, with their defense holding Brooklyn to just 16 points in the first quarter. But things quickly spiraled from there. Despite registering his second triple-double as a Laker with 22 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds, Dončić struggled offensively, shooting just 8-for-26.
With the loss to the Nets, the Lakers have now slipped to third place in the league standings. While they remain strong playoff contenders and possibly championship favorites, these unexpected defeats could impact their confidence and momentum.
The absence of James is adding to their struggles, but Redick’s squad needs to shake off this setback and refocus to get back on track.