ORLANDO, Fla. — The situation the Lakers found themselves in three weeks ago wasn’t exactly unfamiliar, and therein lay part of the issue.
Following a tight loss to the Suns on February 26, they entered a three-game slide, marking their third loss in just two months.
Their inconsistency was glaring—players were often unavailable due to health issues, and their performance on the court varied widely, resulting in a 19-20 record from December 1 to February 26.
However, they recognized there was still over a quarter of the season left to regain their footing, so they held on tightly. The team’s belief in their potential never shook, not even in tough moments.
Coach JJ Redick expressed this optimism before a nationally broadcast game against the Warriors on February 28 in San Francisco.
“We believe we will make a breakthrough,” he stated then. “This breakthrough isn’t just about winning or losing. It’s about how we play and how we work together. I’m confident we’ll find that rhythm.”
So, how did the Lakers respond to Redick’s reaffirmation of faith?
Their turnaround was clear; they won 12 of their following 13 matches, achieving a nine-game winning streak—their longest since the 2019-20 season—and topped the Magic on Saturday at Kia Center.
“In those situations, it can be easy to give up,” said Austin Reeves. “A lot of times, the mindset can be just to say, ‘Next game.’”
Had this kind of turnaround occurred earlier in the season, that might have been the Lakers’ approach. There were indeed moments where they clearly “let go of the rope,” as Reeves described, which contributed to many of their early losses being by significant margins.
Even when they shined in high-stress games, those efforts could fall flat if they encountered too much adversity during play, like missed shots or turnovers, or if their opponents unexpectedly tightened their game.
But not anymore.
Admittedly, they allowed a 14-point lead to slip away in the first quarter. Still, they managed to close the second quarter strong, entering halftime just three points down.
Yes, Luka Doncic received his 16th technical foul of the season and will miss one game during Monday’s trip against the Pistons, but his impact during the final quarters had added to their struggles with shooting. Frustrations grew, especially with the inconsistency in foul calls. Yet, the Lakers found alternative ways to stay competitive, relying on offensive rebounds, improved defense, and better passing to set up quality shots.
As Redick mentioned, the team’s growth isn’t just evident in their recent performance.
It’s in their resilience against challenges, showing they can unite rather than fall apart under pressure.
“A lot has transpired in recent weeks. Many experiences during this road trip illustrate the progression of our group,” Redick remarked. “We did a commendable job of adapting, whether facing a cold shooting night or an opponent’s hot streak. I didn’t allow that to distract from the game.”
Ultimately, the Lakers are starting to grasp that their greatest area of growth lies within their game itself.
