Lakers’ JJ Redick Responds to Concerns Over Second-Half Rotation in Game 4, Says Team Had ‘No Issue’

Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, acknowledged that his team’s struggles in the fourth quarter have been a recurring issue throughout their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the Lakers now trailing 3-1. Despite the loss in Game 4, where L.A. scored just 19 points on 5-for-18 shooting in the final quarter, Redick didn’t attribute the poor performance to his second-half rotation. Instead, he pointed to missed opportunities by the team’s top players, including LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who missed layups in the fourth quarter. Redick dismissed fatigue as a factor, explaining that the misses were not a result of tired legs.

In a move that made history, Redick became the first coach to use the same five players for an entire half of a playoff game, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. At halftime of Game 4, Redick shifted to a small-ball lineup, inserting Dorian Finney-Smith in place of 7-foot center Jaxson Hayes. The adjustment paid off as the Lakers opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run and outscored Minnesota 36-23 in the period, highlighting the potential of the new lineup.

Looking ahead to Game 5, Redick seemed open to continuing with the same five players, though he didn’t confirm the starting lineup yet. The Lakers’ offensive struggles in the fourth quarter have been a persistent issue, with the team being outscored 105-69 in the final frame of the series.

Redick and his players are fully aware of the importance of the upcoming game. With their backs against the wall, Redick urged his team to play with a sense of desperation, emphasizing that there is no time to dwell on past mistakes. Luka Doncic echoed the sentiment, calling Game 5 a “Game 7” scenario, where a loss would end their season. The Lakers must win to extend their playoff run.