The Lakers responded to a three-game losing streak and what seemed like a season low, reset point on Christmas day against the Rockets, with a strong performance beating the Sacramento Kings 125-101 at home.

Whether it was JJ Redick questioning the team’s commitment and effort, or later downplaying it by saying they simply needed a recalibration, he got the response he wanted. From the opening tip, it was evident the Lakers were locked in. This was a game where they put their foot on the gas early, won all four quarters for the first time this season, and turned it into a rare Lakers blowout.

The game itself was nothing fancy or out of the ordinary, just a display of how a composed, competent team should look when taking care of business against a standings bottom dweller. However, the Lakers have had problems doing that this season, so last night should hopefully serve as an example going forward.

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Today’s notes:

A reference point for effort, for Luka (VIDEO)

Super efficient LeBron

Way more structure, more flow, and a more deliberate and egalitarian offense

New sub pattern and Nick Smith Jr kicking off his campaign as the third ball handler with a bang (VIDEO)

Concerns not washed away by one game

1-A reference point for effort, for Luka (VIDEO)

The two Lakers leaders, Dončić and James, were the two names called out by the media for their effort and commitment to doing the little things on defense. After the Rockets loss, Dončić acknowledged he needed to return to the level of defense he was playing earlier in the season.

Dončić is not the only problem for the Lakers on defense, and I would say not even the biggest one, but when he is engaged, moves his feet, and makes an effort to stay in front and provide resistance on drives, it changes a lot for the Lakers defense. Last night, and in the past, Dončić showed he can defend when the focus and commitment are there, leading by example by making the effort plays.

Dončić led the way with four stocks (three steals and one block) and was one of six Lakers with at least two stocks, which showed the effort level with which the Lakers played last night.

Offensively, Dončić had his typical 34-point night at the office, along with a dose of absurd passes. His outside shot was still streaky, but he had a dominant run, scoring 15 points in the second quarter as the Lakers built a decisive lead.

2-Super efficient LeBron

Lakers activity resulted in a high turnover game, with the Kings finishing with a total of 19. We have seen this scenario before, when the Lakers showed they can punish bad transition defenses like the Kings, Jazz, and Pelicans by getting out on the run and scoring in transition. Last night, the Lakers posted a 21.3 percent transition frequency, the third highest of the season, and as usual LeBron James was the biggest beneficiary, scoring nine of his 24 points on the fast break.

James complemented his transition highlight reels with elite shot making in the half court, missing only two of his 13 field-goal attempts while playing the role of the second creator and filling the spots around Dončić to perfection.

3-Way more structure, more flow, and a more deliberate and egalitarian offense

The Lakers recalibration was not noticeable only in effort and defense, as the change in offensive execution was even more glaring. You could see there was a clear plan and effort to get all starters touches and shots early, with each of them getting at least one shot within the first three minutes of the game, and the Lakers’ top seven options all finishing with at least 17 front court touches.

Not only were touches distributed more evenly, the Lakers ran more actions and sets not just for Dončić and James, but also to get Hachimura shots off away screens and a couple of post looks for Ayton. All in all, it was one of the better games of the season in terms of balance and creating good looks off sets and concepts, while still allowing Dončić and James the freedom to create on the fly out of pick and roll and isolation actions.

@Sam_Vecenie
Lakers look so much more intentional with their sets and actions tonight against the Kings. Seem like they’re running a lot more actual plays. Have always felt like JJ Redick is at his best as a coach in these 120 or so games when the Lakers are doing that.
4-New sub pattern and Nick Smith Jr. kicking off his campaign as the third ball handler with a bang (VIDEO)

This was the first game for the Lakers in the new Austin Reaves less reality, one they will probably have to survive in for at least a month, if not longer. Redick addressed it by promoting Nick Smith Jr. to a much bigger role as the third ball handler and by tweaking the Dončić and James substitution pattern, staggering their minutes even more to keep one of them on the floor at all times, with Smith Jr. providing a second option especially in non Dončić James minutes.

@DanWoikeSports
JJ Redick says the Lakers will try something new with lineups tonight. Won’t share what. Does say Nick Smith Jr. will be playing consistent rotation minutes for the near future.

Lakers-Kings rotations (souce: basketball-reference)

Smith Jr. embraced the opportunity in the best way imaginable, hitting his first seven shots and scoring 21 points, seamlessly switching between off ball catch and shoot and on ball go get a bucket roles, a skill crucial to succeeding next to Dončić and James. Smith Jr. hit five of his ten three point attempts, and in Reaves absence his shooting could be key for the Lakers offense, which at times struggles to both generate and convert threes at a high volume.

Redick highlighted that this was the third game this season in which the third year combo guard’s microwave scoring proved crucial off the bench in sporadic appearances while filling in during injury absences. Now the next step for him is to prove he can be a consistent contributor and do it against tougher competition.

5-Concerns not washed away by one game

The Lakers stepping up, playing with more effort, looking more connected, and operating a well run offense was definitely a good sight after the disappointments of the previous three games. But it is also impossible to ignore that running a crisp offense is much easier against the underwhelming Kings than against physical, athletic teams that pressure the ball and disrupt at every opportunity. The Lakers experienced that firsthand recently against the Spurs, Suns, and Rockets, struggling both with ball pressure and with athleticism on both ends.

Amid all the good in this game, there were still some elements of old issues, like early struggles containing DeMar DeRozan (we have seen Hachimura struggle to contain a similar archetype against Brandon Ingram in the Toronto game) or awkward offensive possessions with Vanderbilt Kleber lineups, that will be much harder to overcome in games where the margin for error is much lower.

So a true test for the recalibrated Lakers comes in the next game against another young, athletic, and one of the most physical teams in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

Unofficial, but I have LA at a 64% playcall rate through 3 quartersQ1: 62%Q2: 68%Q3: 62%We haven't seen 60%+ in each of Q1-3 before this season.— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) December 29, 2025

JJ Redick wasn’t taking shots, he was setting a standard. If you want to win, everyone has to stay within the system, stars included. Honestly, it’s refreshing to hear it said out loud. No one, not even LeBron, is bigger than the team.@BrickCenter_ pic.twitter.com/rmtJB9lTP5— Blue Devil Voices (@DukeEchoes) December 28, 2025

Lakers look so much more intentional with their sets and actions tonight against the Kings. Seem like they're running a lot more actual plays. Have always felt like JJ Redick is at his best as a coach in these 120 or so games when the Lakers are doing that.— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) December 29, 2025

LAKERS LAST GAME LED LEAGUE IN DEFENSIVE RATING FOR LAST GAMELakers' defensive rating for last game was 100.0, which was #1 for any team in the league for their last game. Offensively, Lakers were #11 with an offensive rating of 122.5 and #3 with a net rating of +22.5.That… https://t.co/GIin4zaY3b pic.twitter.com/poeCgaF4rR— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 29, 2025

Nick Smith Jr. (21 points on 8/14 FG and 5/10 3PT) on his hot shooting night:"I'm in a space where I'm locked in right now, just tryna do what I can to help this team win. I just try to prepare everyday like it's game day and it showed tonight." pic.twitter.com/Pmeo5tKNm9— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 29, 2025

Tonight was SO refreshing given what the last week of Lakers basketball has looked like 💯 pic.twitter.com/EeFXi5BY4S— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 29, 2025

This LeBron sequence in his last game at 40 was unreal 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/cAnX1Qs9dy— Bron’s Best (@LBJsBest) December 29, 2025

Final stats 📊 Luka: 34 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 3 stlLeBron: 24 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast, 2 stlNick: 21 pts, 3 rebRui: 12 pts, 4 reb, 2 stlDA: 11 pts, 11 rebJake: 11 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl pic.twitter.com/hmYlHvzZJA— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 29, 2025

Luka Doncic tonight:34 Points 7 Assists 6 Rebounds 3 Steals 1 Block 11/23 FGM+22 +/-33 Minutes pic.twitter.com/LfaJ5lXaa2— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 29, 2025

Nick Smith Jr. vs the KIngs:-21PTS-3REB-1AST-75TS% pic.twitter.com/ZPWODFxA2X— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) December 29, 2025

JJ Redick says that he is doing “something different” with his lineups tonight, per @DStarkand pic.twitter.com/2szk5DvHXS— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) December 29, 2025

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

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.

How was the energy of the group? Was what needed to be said actually said? And how was it received?

“Hold on. Hold on. Hold on,” Ayton said. “That’s a lot. You’re bombarding me with a lot.”

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 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.'”

Was it uncomfortable?

“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.

“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.”

Starting forward Rui Hachimura — one of three players who declined to speak after the Houston game, along with LeBron James and Marcus Smart — spoke to reporters Saturday about those needs.

“We just talked about everybody — players, coaches — we just got to kind of tighten up,” Hachimura said. “We had a good stretch in the beginning, and now we kind of, I don’t know, we relaxed. Or we kind of got tired of winning. But we just stopped doing what we’re supposed to do.”

James and Smart declined to speak again Saturday.

Redick, who also called out several players for their repeated failures after the Rockets game without using names, was asked if those players were told directly about the improvements he wanted from them.

“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.

Ayton said he would be a more vocal leader on defense.

“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 acknowledged 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.”

Hachimura said he knows what he must do to help the team get out of its rut.

“I have to be more focused on bringing the energy, being physical,” Hachimura said. “That kind of stuff is going to help.”

L.A. hosts the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the first of four straight home games in the next week and a half.

“It’s adversity, it’s going to happen,” Ayton said. “And I just can’t wait to see how we bounce back from this.”

JJ Redick on the focus of today's practice and film session:"Recalibration and reconnection. I think too, today, for myself, I'm always gonna look in the mirror first. I think it's easy as a player or coach to say well it's this guy's fault, or we're not doing this because of…— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) December 27, 2025

Saying it is easy, show us with a different looking on court vibe.

That would be a much welcome decision. Keon Ellis and Malick Monk are two of my favorite players.

Is that Jake from State Farm as the source? I’d love that but hard to see us getting both for a single pick and swaps.

The Lakers have a new owner and no culture worth preserving. They have limitless resources and a very desirable job.You can’t tell me that of anyone who’d want to run the Lakers in 2026, Rob Pelinka is the most desirable option when no other team would reach that conclusion. https://t.co/HCYNWXayk4— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 26, 2025

The Lakers are sort of like the Yankees. They both have the history, market and resources to have the absolute best in every non-player position, so it's weird to me that there are fans who would ever want to settle for "eh he's fine, does some things well and somethings badly." https://t.co/fvc1fzXU9Q— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 26, 2025

Forget about his relationship with Kobe. Forget about the 2020 champion Rich Paul built anyway. Forget about the Luka trade because I’m almost positive Rob doesn’t have any more stupid friends to steal from.Just ask yourself if he’s truly the best possible GM for the Lakers. https://t.co/6lNSCzY32l— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 26, 2025

I think the answer is no. The Lakers have had the same problems for half a decade. They keep trying to solve them with the same outdated solutions. They need to completely rethink their approach to roster-building. The Dodgers did that and look where it got them. https://t.co/NAl8ZAJ3Lv— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 26, 2025

This isn’t “they need a 3-and-D” or “they need a rim protector.”No. They need a wholly different sort of team to support their two best players. They have three FRPs and $55 million in cap space to do that this summer. Is Rob Pelinka really the man you trust to maximize that? https://t.co/teqR8cl3HV— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 26, 2025

I mean..I stopped believing in Rob Pelinka a long time ago. I don’t go around calling him Master Class for nothing. It’s out of sarcasm. Dude has always been out of his depth. He absolutely lucked into the Luka trade, botched most of his other chances prior to that, and will probably fire another coach that isn’t the real issue, again. At least we got Nate or Scotty waiting in the wings to grab the reigns.

Rob has had Luka for 10 months and hasn’t made a single trade to improve this roster lmaoLiterally got gifted Luka and basically got gifted our best center and best defender from buyouts too Mark Walter gotta send him and Jeanie to the unemployment line— 🅿️erSources CEO | Adou Thiero FC (@pelinkaburner) December 26, 2025