Redick’s Fiery Timeout Ignites Lakers: LeBron Leads Charge as L.A. Evens Series in Gritty Game 2 Showdown
When the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in a must-win situation during Game 2 of their NBA playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, newly appointed head coach JJ Redick made his presence—and passion—known in a big way.
After dropping Game 1 at home, the pressure was on for the Lakers to bounce back before the series shifted to Minnesota for Game 3. Things started off strong at Crypto.com Arena, with Los Angeles building a commanding 15-point lead by halftime. But as the third quarter unfolded, that cushion began to shrink, and Redick had seen enough.
With 7:40 remaining in the third quarter, Redick stormed onto the court, visibly fired up and seemingly unleashing a string of expletives aimed at his team. It was a bold move for a coach in just his second postseason game at the helm, but it worked. The Lakers regrouped, refocused, and shut down Minnesota’s offense en route to a gritty 94-85 victory that evened the series at 1-1.
The moment quickly went viral, with fans and analysts dissecting Redick’s emotional outburst. By the time LeBron James stepped up to the podium for his postgame interview, the video had already made the rounds. James, ever the veteran, took the situation in stride.
“I thought we responded well just from the timeout,” said the four-time NBA champion, who tallied 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the win. “We know JJ is gonna spazz out from time to time. That’s JJ.”
Redick, just six months older than James and a former playoff-tested player himself, made no apologies for the passionate display. He later stated that his goal was to hit the “urgency button,” and the Lakers clearly got the message.
The Lakers’ defense clamped down hard, holding Minnesota to a season-low 85 points. While James led the team with his typical all-around brilliance, it was Luka Doncic—appearing as a standout for the opposing team—who led all scorers with 31 points.
With the series now tied, the intensity is sure to ramp up as the action shifts to Minnesota. One thing is certain: JJ Redick is bringing fire to the sidelines—and the Lakers are responding.
