JJ Redick Sends Strong Message to Lakers After Playoff Loss

Alex Kirschenbaum | May 1, 2025

Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to his team losing the lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images / Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers' championship aspirations for the 2025 playoffs were officially dashed in an anticlimactic 103-96 Game 5 first round defeat to the mighty Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at home.

L.A. put up some fight, but couldn't hold off four-time Defensive Player of the Year Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in the paint. Gobert absolutely went off, logging a 27-point, 24-rebound double-double in the victory.

More Los Angeles Lakers News: Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick Gives One Word Answer About Game 5 Lineup Plan

All-Star Minnesota swingman Anthony Edwards logged an inefficient 15-point, 11-rebound double-double of his own. Three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle scored 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 shooting from the charity stripe.

The Lakers looked fatigued late. 40-year-old All-Star forward LeBron James scored just five points on 2-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter. Doncic, battling a back injury suffered in the second half, took just three shots from the floor, making one.

More Los Angeles Lakers News: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Waste No Time Taking Shots At Lakers

Speaking to reporters after the game (and the Lakers' season) had ended, first-year head coach JJ Redick called out his team for not being fit enough to compete, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

During his end of season remarks, JJ Redick, without naming names, says the roster must "get in championship shape" during the offseason.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 1, 2025

Redick said he wanted his players to "get in championship shape" over the summer. As McMenamin observes, Redick did not reveal exactly which players he felt weren't in "championship shape," but fans can certainly put two and two together.

Final pic.twitter.com/BbMHMWuOwr

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 1, 2025

Current Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has tried to use fitness issues to justify his controversial decision to trade superstar five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for a single first round pick, 10-time All-Star center Anthony Davis (six years' Doncic senior, and infamously injury-prone), and 3-and-D wing Max Christie (the Mavericks also shipped a 2025 second round draft pick to the Utah Jazz, as did the Lakers).

Doncic missed much of the season with a left calf strain incurred during a Christmas Day loss to, funnily enough, the Minnesota Timberwolves — while Doncic was still on the Mavericks. He has been accused of not prioritizing fitness in the way many of his All-Star peers — like, say, James — have over the years, with a supposed predilection for beer and hookah bars.

It didn't seem to adversely impact Doncic's run to the 2024 NBA Finals with Dallas, although it arguably made a difference against Minnesota this year, especially given Doncic's defensive struggles against Timberwolves perimeter players.

More Los Angeles Lakers News:

Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch Calls Out Officiating in Lakers Series

Pau Gasol Sent Special Message to Lakers' Luka Doncic After Epic Return to Dallas

Western Conference Executive Compares Lakers' Austin Reaves to Undrafted Hall of Famer

Lakers Linked to $100 Million Blazers Star as Summer Trade Target

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.