Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made the bold decision to play just five men throughout the second half of Game 4 of his team’s first-round playoff series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Many have been criticizing that decision after the Lakers lost the game by a final score of 116-113 and now trail in the series three games to one.
While the Lakers played well in the third quarter and outscored Minnesota 36-23 during that time, they fell apart afterward. They mustered just 19 points and shot 27.8% from the field in the fourth quarter, and their three stars — LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — combined to shoot 3-of-15 in the period.
Redick denied that fatigue was a factor down the stretch of Sunday’s game when asked about it on Tuesday.
JJ Redick on if film review from the 4th Q of Game 4 showed any fatigue from his players: “No. And you know what? What did we score, 19, 20 and 13 in the fourth quarter (of losses this series)? It’s a trend, more so than that. Our two best players missed layups at the rim”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 29, 2025
JJ Redick on his plans for Game 5 starters and whether fatigue was a factor in Game 4: pic.twitter.com/tac97bq6eT
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 29, 2025
The team is now officially fighting for its very survival. It will host Game 5 on Wednesday, and a loss will mean a longer and more painful than expected offseason after many felt it was a legitimate championship contender coming into the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on whether fatigue was a factor in fourth quarter of Game 4
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made the bold decision to play just five men throughout the second half of Game 4 of his team’s first-round playoff series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Many have been criticizing that decision after the Lakers lost the game by a final score of 116-113 and now trail in the series three games to one.
While the Lakers played well in the third quarter and outscored Minnesota 36-23 during that time, they fell apart afterward. They mustered just 19 points and shot 27.8% from the field in the fourth quarter, and their three stars — LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — combined to shoot 3-of-15 in the period.
Redick denied that fatigue was a factor down the stretch of Sunday’s game when asked about it on Tuesday.
JJ Redick on if film review from the 4th Q of Game 4 showed any fatigue from his players: “No. And you know what? What did we score, 19, 20 and 13 in the fourth quarter (of losses this series)? It’s a trend, more so than that. Our two best players missed layups at the rim”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 29, 2025
JJ Redick on his plans for Game 5 starters and whether fatigue was a factor in Game 4: pic.twitter.com/tac97bq6eT
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 29, 2025
The team is now officially fighting for its very survival. It will host Game 5 on Wednesday, and a loss will mean a longer and more painful than expected offseason after many felt it was a legitimate championship contender coming into the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on whether fatigue was a factor in fourth quarter of Game 4
