The Lakers are starting to look like a serious problem in the Western Conference with JJ Redick believing the team is coming together.
After an inconsistent stretch earlier in the season, the Lakers have caught fire over the past couple of weeks, going 8-1 since February 28 and riding a five-game win streak. That run includes statement wins over the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets, the kind of results that are beginning to shift the narrative around this team.
More importantly, the numbers back it up. Over their last nine games, the Lakers rank No. 3 in offense, No. 8 in defense, and No. 2 in net rating, a sign that both ends of the floor are finally clicking at the right time.
Head coach JJ Redick sees it too.
“Is ‘coalesce’ a word? Is that the right word? For coming together?” Redick said when speaking to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I think it feels like we’re coalescing right now in a really nice way. Still got a long way to go, still got a long way to go, but certainly optimistic with how we handled this stretch of games. … It’s big time.”
LeBron James, after missing time recently, appears to have found the balance between scoring and facilitating alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The chemistry is improving, and the offensive flow is starting to feel more natural.
At the same time, key role players are stepping up. Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton have delivered in big moments, giving Redick more lineup flexibility than earlier in the season.
That depth could be crucial. Unlike last year, this Lakers group looks like it has more than just a handful of trusted options when the games matter most.
Still, nobody in the building is getting ahead of themselves. With 15 games remaining, the focus remains on finishing strong and avoiding another early playoff exit.
