It may only be their 9th game of the season but the #3 Los Angeles Lakers face the #2 San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night at Crypto.Com Arena in a key head-to-head battle that will test their championship aspirations.
Redick’s decision to save Doncic and Reaves for tomorrow night’s big game against Wembanyama and the Spurs paid off huge as the undermanned Lakers once again rode their ‘next-man-up’ mentality to another upset win. Last night’s win means the Lakers head into tomorrow night’s big game against the Spurs with a healthy and rested Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves looking to win their 5th straight game and take over #2 seed in the West.
Last night was the third time in the eight games played that the Lakers turned a ‘scheduled injury loss’ into a win. They won last night without LeBron, Luka, and Austin and twice earlier without LeBron and Luka.
LeBron’s injury serendipitously opened the door for Luka’s and Austin’s breakout and gave the Lakers a championship blueprint where Doncic and Reaves on-ball attacks unleash James’ off-ball jack-of-all-trades magic.
Redick has the Lakers buying into his championship culture, playing championship basketball, and proving that playing hard is still the ultimate cheat code as almost every player on the roster is exceeding expectations.
And don’t forget the Lakers are still missing LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and Adou Thiero plus have matching salary and draft capital to trade for a 3&D starting small forward and backup defensive center.
Were it not for the ‘play hard’ culture JJ got the team to buy into, the Lakers would be 3–5 right now, not 6–2 and seeking their sixth win in a row and #2 seed in the West. Lakers have now raised their ceiling to NBA champions.