The pressure continues to mount on the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare for a big Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of the major talking points in this series has been head coach JJ Redick, whose postseason inexperience and controversial decision-making down the stretch have been heavily scrutinized.
Redick was brought in to inject new life into the Lakers and now finds himself facing a steep uphill battle in his first playoff series as head coach. While his connection with the team has been praised internally, decisions in Game 4—especially in the second half—have sparked concern, particularly from some familiar voices in sports media.
One of those voices is none other than Stephen A. Smith, a former colleague of Redick’s during their time together at ESPN. Smith didn’t mince words when discussing Redick’s late-game management in LA’s 116-113 loss in Game 4.
“You’re not gonna win many playoff games if you don’t rest your starters in the entire second half,” Smith said on his show.
Smith also expressed skepticism about the Lakers’ chances of clawing back into the series, adding that the Timberwolves’ youth, defense, and physicality might simply be too much for LA at this stage.
Still, the Lakers aren’t out yet. LeBron James and Luka Dončić remain two of the most lethal playoff performers in NBA history, and both have proven they can turn the tide in high-stakes moments. But for LA to stay alive, the supporting cast will have to show up, and Redick will need to make sharper calls under pressure.
Game 5 will be Redick’s biggest challenge yet—not just to extend the Lakers’ season, but to prove he can lead a team in the playoffs.
