dailyloe.com – Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick made a surprising lineup change for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. He started shooting guard Luke Kennard at point guard despite injuries to key players. This move came after the Lakers lost Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the regular season.
Both Doncic and Reaves suffered major injuries during Thursday’s loss to Oklahoma City. Doncic has a Grade 2 left hamstring strain while Reaves has a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Their absences leave the Lakers shorthanded for their final four regular season games.
The shorthanded Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks 134-128 on Sunday. This marked their second consecutive defeat as they prepare for the playoffs. Redick addressed his unconventional backcourt rotation after the game.
Many expected LeBron James to assume primary ball-handling duties with the injuries. Redick instead chose to start sharpshooter Luke Kennard at point guard. This bold positional change produced mixed results during the game.
The 29-year-old Kennard recorded his first career triple-double in the loss. He finished with 15 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and 11 assists. His performance demonstrated adaptability in his new role.
After the game, Redick explained his strategic approach via Lakers Nation on X. He said the team focused on simplifying initial play calls and getting into second actions. Redick praised his players for executing this game plan effectively.
Redick acknowledged managing Kennard’s workload would be important moving forward. He stated that 41 minutes was too much for the guard to play regularly. However, he praised Kennard for doing amazing things in his new role.
LeBron James still excelled despite not being the primary ball-handler. He finished with a team-high 30 points in a hybrid offensive role. The Lakers continue adjusting their strategy before the playoffs begin.[]
Source: Yahoo Sports
