JJ Redick calls out an anonymous player for not knowing what he’s doing on defense

JJ Redick he didn’t hide his frustration after The Los Angeles Lakers lost 132-108 to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, calling out an anonymous player for a mental lapse on the defensive end.

Speaking after the game, Redick mentioned a breakdown that underscored what he described as a lack of defensive awareness within the rotation, especially amid injuries.

“We had a guy the other day, who hadn’t played much, who didn’t know what a flood was, in the middle of the game. So when we’re not healthy, obviously we have room to grow in that area.”

Redick’s comments came as Los Angeles continued to struggle defensively. The loss dropped the Lakers to 17-10 and marked their second straight loss. Over their last 10 games, the Lakers have given up 121.6 points per contest, ranking 25th in the league during that span, with a 5-5 record.

JJ Redick calls out one of his players: “We had a guy the other day, who hadn’t played much, who didn’t know what a flood was, in the middle of the game. So when we’re not healthy, obviously we have room to grow in that area.” pic.twitter.com/ooIBe56eOh

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) December 24, 2025

JJ Redick highlights defensive lapses as injuries test Lakers ahead of Christmas Day matchup

The defensive woes coincided with a growing list of injuries that disrupted the team’s continuity. Luka Doncic missed Tuesday’s game with a calf contusion, while Rui Hachimura was sidelined with right groin soreness and Gabe Vincent remained sidelined with lower back tightness. Center Jackson Hayes is out early after suffering an ankle injurylogged in just five minutes before being shut down.

With several rotation players unavailable, Redick indicated that execution and awareness become even more critical, especially on the defensive end where communication and recognition are essential. His scathing remarks suggested an impatience with mistakes rooted in fundamentals rather than effort.

Despite the recent slump, Los Angeles has some time to regroup. The Lakers will return home for national television Christmas game against the Houston Rockets (17-10). Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET and the game airs on ABC and ESPN.

As injuries continue and the schedule tightens, Redick’s comments highlighted a broader concern: The defensive understanding must improve quickly if the Lakers hope to stabilize during a challenging stretch of the season.