Redick reflects on the team's demanding five-games-in-seven-days stretch and provides an update on Austin Reaves.
The Los Angeles Lakers were expected to face a tough stretch heading into the second half of January, and while results have been mixed, the team has managed to push through.
After playing five games in just seven days, head coach JJ Redick offered a positive look at where things stand while hinting at good news on the injury front.
Redick Addresses Tough Stretch and Health Updates
Los Angeles closed out their demanding run with a 110-93 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, giving them a 2-3 record during the stretch that included losses to Sacramento, Charlotte and Portland along with wins over Atlanta and Toronto.
With the team sitting at 25-16 and sixth in the Western Conference, Redick responded with optimism when asked about the difficult schedule.
"The guys have done a great job of getting through this stretch... We're starting to get healthy, and hopefully we get AR [Austin Reaves] back soon," Redick said.
That mention of Reaves is important since the starting guard has been sidelined since Christmas Day with a grade 2 left calf strain.
The Lakers went 6-6 without him, and the roster has missed his scoring punch as Reaves was averaging 26.6 points per game before the injury while also adding 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds. A late January return could be on the horizon.
Lakers Lean on Their Stars
Without Reaves in the lineup, Los Angeles has relied heavily on Luka Dončić and LeBron James to carry the load.
Dončić leads the NBA in scoring at 33.3 points per game while adding 7.5 rebounds and 8.6 assists, and James continues to produce with 22.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists at 41 years old.
The chemistry between the two stars has been building throughout the season, and Redick has praised their synergy on multiple occasions.
During their win over Atlanta earlier in the week, the pair combined for 58 points and 22 assists while the Lakers shot 58 percent from the field.
Challenges Ahead
The Lakers face a brutal road trip starting Tuesday, and the team must now survive the longest stretch of the season.
Los Angeles begins an eight-game road swing against the Denver Nuggets, and the trip also includes matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
It will be a true test of the team's depth and resilience, especially if Reaves remains out for the early portion of the trip.
Denver enters with a 29-14 record despite playing without Nikola Jokić.
If Los Angeles can stay afloat and get Reaves back healthy, they will return home for an eight-game homestand in February that could help them push up the Western Conference standings.