LeBron’s Late Push Lifts Lakers as Redick Searches for Rhythm

The Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to look like a team that has rediscovered its identity after stumbling through the final weeks of 2025. A 111–103 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday extended their winning streak to three games and kept them firmly in third place in the Western Conference. For a roster built around veteran star power, it was a reassuring sign that the turbulence of late December may finally be easing.

The mood around the team, however, has not been entirely serene. Head coach JJ Redick has shown visible frustration in recent outings, barking at officials and challenging his players during timeouts. The tension is understandable for a coach still trying to define his voice with a roster that blends future Hall of Famers with developing pieces.

What has calmed the waters is the steady excellence of LeBron James and Luka Dončić. The two superstars have shouldered the scoring burden during the streak, and their chemistry has been the foundation of Los Angeles’ late-game execution. The Lakers have been less flashy than in previous stretches, but they have been precise when it matters.

That precision was on full display in the fourth quarter against New Orleans. With the Pelicans threatening to steal the game late, James seized control, scoring or assisting on a flurry of baskets that pushed the Lakers back in front for good. At 41, James remains the axis around which this team turns.

1. LeBron’s Ageless Standard

James’ stat line told the story of his night: 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists on efficient shooting. The numbers themselves were impressive, but the timing of his contributions stood out more. Each time New Orleans closed the gap in the fourth quarter, James had an answer. It is the sort of production most players hope to achieve in their primes, not in their 21st NBA season. James attacked mismatches in the post, calmly knocked down perimeter jumpers and orchestrated the offense with the ease of a veteran floor general. What continues to separate him is his feel for the moment. Rather than forcing plays early, James allowed the game to breathe, picking his spots until the Pelicans began to show cracks late. Once they did, he turned from facilitator to finisher. For a Lakers team trying to stabilize after an uneven month, James has been the constant. When the offense bogs down or defensive rotations slip, he provides a reset button — a reminder that even in the middle of transition, there is still a reliable anchor.

2. Redick’s Maddux Analogy

After the game, Redick offered a revealing analogy to describe James’ late-career brilliance. He compared his star to Greg Maddux, the legendary baseball pitcher who learned to win without overpowering stuff at the end of his career. “Every night he doesn’t have his best stuff but he has enough to win,” Redick said with a grin, explaining that he often feels like James’ catcher, trying to guide him through the game. Sometimes, Redick added, James waves him off and calls his own number — and the coach is fine with that. The comment captured the dynamic between the two: mutual respect layered with the natural tension that comes when an all-time great is paired with a first-year head coach. Redick is tasked with designing systems and rotations, but he also knows when to let his superstar freelance. It is not always seamless. Redick has been candid about his learning curve, and the Lakers have had moments this season when late-game organization slipped. But when James is locked in, the margin for error widens.

3. Momentum Meets Reality

The Lakers’ winning streak will be tested almost immediately. They face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night in the second leg of a back-to-back, a matchup that already carries some baggage after a disappointing showing in their previous meeting. Complicating matters is the possibility that James could sit for load management. At this stage of his career, the Lakers are cautious with his workload, particularly when travel and compressed schedules pile up. That would leave Redick with a delicate balancing act. Without James, the offensive burden would tilt more heavily toward Dončić, and the Lakers’ margin for error would shrink. San Antonio, meanwhile, has leaned into youth and pace, often turning games into track meets that expose tired legs. Defensively, the challenge will be just as steep. The Spurs’ energy has caused problems for veteran teams all season, and Redick has emphasized the need for sharper rotations and better transition defense if the Lakers want to avoid another stumble.