Lakers’ Streak Ends as Redick Laments Late-Game Missed Chances to Lean on LeBron

LOS ANGELES — A three-game surge for the Los Angeles Lakers came to an abrupt halt Monday night, undone not by a full-strength contender but by a depleted Oklahoma City Thunder team that arrived without All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 119–110 defeat at home stung for more than just the result.

For much of the evening, the Lakers stayed within striking distance, matching Oklahoma City’s pace and physicality. But as the fourth quarter tightened and possessions grew more valuable, Los Angeles struggled to find offensive rhythm.

From the sideline, head coach JJ Redick saw a familiar solution slipping away. In his view, the Lakers didn’t consistently put the ball in the hands of their most reliable playmaker, LeBron James, at the moments it mattered most.

Afterward, Redick didn’t mince words, framing the loss as less about talent and more about execution — specifically, a failure to recognize how effective James had been against smaller defenders.

1. A Winnable Game Slips Away

The Thunder entered the matchup missing their leading scorer and offensive engine in Gilgeous-Alexander, a circumstance that appeared to give Los Angeles an opening. Instead, Oklahoma City’s depth and energy carried the night. The Lakers kept pace early, trading runs and leaning on transition opportunities to stay close. Still, defensive lapses and stalled half-court sets prevented them from building any sustained cushion. As the fourth quarter unfolded, the margin hovered within reach. Each stop and basket carried extra weight, but the Lakers’ offense grew increasingly disjointed, with sets breaking down before quality looks could materialize. The Thunder capitalized, executing cleanly late and stretching the lead just enough to quiet the crowd and close out a game that felt available for the taking.

2. Redick Wants the Ball in LeBron’s Hands

In the aftermath, Redick identified a specific issue: the Lakers didn’t consistently run their offense through James, even as he found success attacking mismatches throughout the game. “I didn’t think we did a good job of getting LeBron the ball,” Redick said. “Some of that was we called plays and we didn’t execute, some of that was just not having the recognition. Him playing against smaller players was how we got back in the game, and we didn’t do a good job of getting him the ball. It’s frustrating.” James had repeatedly punished switches and size disadvantages, creating scoring chances for himself and others. Yet in the closing minutes, those opportunities became sporadic rather than intentional. For a team still searching for late-game consistency, Redick’s message was clear: when matchups tilt in James’ favor, the offense needs to reflect it.

3. James Produces, but Questions Remain

Statistically, James delivered another steady performance. He led the Lakers with 22 points to go along with six rebounds, 10 assists and a steal across 36 minutes, shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. He attacked early and often, even finishing emphatically over Thunder big man Chet Holmgren on a pair of highlight dunks that energized the arena. But his outside shot never followed, as he missed all four attempts from beyond the arc. The 23rd-year veteran continues to post strong numbers this season, averaging 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting just over 50 percent from the floor. His durability and production recently earned him a 22nd consecutive All-Star selection — an unprecedented mark of longevity. Still, James acknowledged the broader challenge facing the team: sustaining effort and execution for a full 48 minutes. With a back-to-back looming against the San Antonio Spurs, Austin Reaves on a minutes restriction and Luka Dončić sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Lakers’ margin for error remains thin.