For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Los Angeles Lakers are finally at full strength—and head coach JJ Redick is wasting no time in setting the tone for what’s to come. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a team that’s barely played together all season really flip the switch and dominate in the final stretch? Redick’s answer is a resounding yes, and he’s not mincing words about it.
As the Lakers gear up for the season’s final 28 games, Redick delivered a blunt message to his team: the time for patience is over. In a recent interview with ESPN, he framed this stretch as a ‘sprint,’ not a marathon. ‘We’ve had our Big Three—Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves—available together for just 10 games,’ Redick noted. ‘Now, we’ve got to make every second count.’ And this is the part most people miss: despite their limited time together, the Lakers are 7–3 when all three stars play, a record that hints at untapped potential.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Starting Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers face a grueling schedule with no more than a day between games until late March. According to Tankathon, their remaining slate ranks as the 10th-toughest in the league, including matchups against powerhouses like the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. Is Redick’s ‘sprint’ mentality realistic, or is he setting his team up for burnout?
What’s undeniable is the significance of finally having their core players healthy. LeBron James missed 18 games, Austin Reaves was sidelined for 19, and Dončić sat out the final four games before the All-Star break with a hamstring strain. Now, with restrictions lifted—including Reaves’ minutes limit—the Lakers can finally deploy their preferred lineup during this critical stretch.
The timing couldn’t be better. Los Angeles is just one game behind the third seed in the Western Conference, with a clear opportunity to secure home-court advantage and avoid the play-in tournament. But with such a demanding schedule, there’s no room for error. Redick’s urgency is palpable, and for good reason.
Interestingly, the Lakers’ biggest ‘move’ at the trade deadline wasn’t a trade at all—it was the return to health of their Big Three. While the acquisition of Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick was modest, the impact of having Dončić, James, and Reaves together could far outweigh any deadline deal they might have pursued. But here’s the question: can chemistry and talent overcome months of inconsistency and injury?
As the Lakers embark on this final stretch, one thing is clear: Redick is betting big on his team’s ability to rise to the occasion. Whether they succeed or falter, this is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating storylines of the NBA season. What do you think? Can the Lakers make a deep playoff run, or is their lack of continuity too big of a hurdle? Let us know in the comments!
