Dave McMenaminDec 27, 2025, 06:28 PM ETCloseLakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.Follow on X
Perk points finger at JJ Redick for Lakers’ defensive woes (2:41)Kendrick Perkins and Monica McNutt discuss the recent issues with the Lakers. (2:41)
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The questions came in rapid succession to Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton after L.A’s first practice since a disappointing Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets that caused Lakers coach JJ Redick to publicly rebuke his team’s effort.
The Lakers have had more questions than answers lately. They are on a three-game losing streak and have lost six of their past 10 games. And all 10 of their losses this season have been by at least 10 points.
Making matters worse, starting guard Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a pulled calf after an MRI on Friday and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks.
All of which was the backdrop as the team regrouped Saturday for what Redick had promised would be an “uncomfortable” meeting to get back on track.
After the Lakers’ meeting and a rare lengthy practice Saturday, Redick appeared considerably more subdued when speaking to reporters than he was after the loss to the Rockets.
“Myself, I’m always going to look in the mirror first,” said Redick, who is in his second season as Lakers coach. “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,” Redick said, “and so you have to put everything out there, that’s all it is.”
Rather than finger-pointing, Redick said it was a day of “recalibration and reconnection” for his team that still sits No. 4 in the Western Conference standings despite the slide.
“We had a great meeting as a staff this morning,” Redick said. “Came in super early and we met with the players, and it was very positive and it was also listening. It was also for our staff, myself, to listen to the players and what they need.”
“I think they are, and I think the group is aware,” Redick said. “The group feels it. They’re on the court together. They’re in the huddles together. …There wasn’t anything that needed to be addressed that wasn’t addressed.”
Redick said the team used Saturday to review the group goals it established at the outset of training camp and its commitment to championship habits.
And he sought to accomplish three things: “Defensive clarity, role clarity and offensive organization,” Redick said.
Redick added that there have been too many “random possessions” on offense since James returned from a sciatica injury that sidelined him for the first 14 games of the season. L.A. has gone 8-5 in the 13 games the 23-year veteran has played this season.
“Holding my guys accountable, especially starting with me,” Ayton said. “No matter how the game is going, we stick to these principles no matter what. … This is how we’re going to play on defense — hard and [with] second efforts.”
Ayton admitted that L.A. lacked focus when it was outrebounded 48-25 by the Rockets, with Ayton, who averages 8.7 boards, grabbing only two in 36 minutes.
“That’s a simple error. It’s just really simple mistakes, as in boxing out, second effort,” Ayton said. “We just weren’t that focused on really trying to lock in and do the little details.”
“I have to be more focused on bringing the energy, being physical,” Hachimura said. “That kind of stuff is going to help.”
“It’s adversity, it’s going to happen,” Ayton said. “And I just can’t wait to see how we bounce back from this.”
Perk points finger at JJ Redick for Lakers’ defensive woes (2:41)Kendrick Perkins and Monica McNutt discuss the recent issues with the Lakers. (2:41)
CloseLakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.Follow on X
How was the energy of the group? Was what needed to be said actually said? And how was it received?
Ayton said he will be a more vocal leader on defense.
Hachimura said he knows what he must do to help the team get out of its rut.
Kendrick Perkins and Monica McNutt discuss the recent issues with the Lakers. (2:41)
“Hold on. Hold on. Hold on,” Ayton said. “That’s a lot. You’re bombarding me with a lot.”