JJ Redick highlights the problem that still lingers after 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers they had one pressing need to fill the 2025 preseason and with limited resources, they managed to sign double-double machine Deandre Ayton. Ayton’s stock has declined over the years, but the Lakers couldn’t afford to be picky given how dire their frontcourt situation was after the Luka Doncic trade.

Alas, even with Ayton on the roster, The Lakers still have a few flaws they need to improve if they want to contend for a title in 2026. On Tuesday night, the Lakers got a bit of a rude awakening, as the Golden State Warriors served them some humble pie in a 119-109 loss to the Purple and Gold.

Lakers head coach JJ Redickas Jovan Buha from Atlético says, he admitted that there is still a long-standing problem of the team starting the game slowly in the second half and that this is something that must correct moving forward.

The Lakers were down by double digits in the first half, but a mistake by Doncic and some valuable contributions from Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura kept LA in the game, as they trailed by just one heading into halftime. But in the third quarter, the Lakers lost their minds – the Warriors outscored them by 10 in the period.

It was LA’s defense that was sleepwalking for most of the quarter, and as a result, they suffered a negative feedback loop on offense. The Warriors shot 60 percent from the field and made half of their 3-pointers in that pivotal period, and the Lakers just couldn’t recover.

It didn’t help that the Lakers were undisciplined on defense; they allowed the Dubs, a notoriously low-volume free throw team, to make 29 free throws — with Jimmy Butler picking the team apart time and time again. Austin Reeves’ influence was muted as he got into trouble.

It’s back to the drawing board for Redick and company.

The Lakers are looking to come away with a win on Friday

There’s a good chance the Lakers start the season 0-2 as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. The Timberwolves memorably hammered the Lakers on the glass during their first-round matchup in the 2025 playoffs, and it remains to be seen if Deandre Ayton is the answer in the middle given how he tended to fade into the background on opening night.

The Timberwolves have so many flamboyant defenders that they give Doncic and Reaves problems, and when those two don’t start the offense, the Lakers are toast.