Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised Luka Doncic’s performance and his ability to take over games after the superstar scored 52 points in a 132-123 comeback victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
Doncic added 10 assists and eight rebounds, hitting eight three-pointers as the Lakers overcame an 18-point second-quarter deficit to improve to 3-0. Asked about Doncic’s shot-making during the fourth quarter, Redick described what happens when the guard finds his rhythm.
“When he’s in the flow state, he gets into, like, showman mode,” Redick said. “He’s on stage performing, and that’s always really fun to watch.”
Doncic scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, including consecutive three-pointers that gave Los Angeles a 127-121 lead with 1:42 remaining. He also hit a stepback three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in the first half to put the Lakers ahead for the first time.
Redick said the comeback could provide an important lesson for a team with numerous new faces, giving the group a positive reference point for handling adversity.
“You need to build reference points,” Redick said. “It still would be a reference point because we ended up coming back and winning that. Now it becomes a positive reference point, and it’s a reference point for, I think, resiliency.”
The coach acknowledged that the Lakers had not been ready to play at the start but praised their response after he addressed the team early in the second quarter.
“Our guys were — we talked to them at the beginning of the second quarter, and there was an immediate response,” Redick said. “We had to gut out a win, and just proud of the group for that.”
Austin Reaves continued his strong start to the season with 29 points, while Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle scored 11 apiece. Redick called Reaves “Mr. Consistency” through the Lakers’ first three games, pointing to his willingness to embrace whatever role the team needs on a given night.
“He’s just played the game, and the results have spoken for themselves,” Redick said.
Redick also praised Collin Sexton’s energy off the bench, describing his impact as a source of intensity for the team.
“There’s a level of insanity with him, and I think our team responds to insanity,” Redick said. “He comes in the game, and you know he’s in the game.”
Despite the comeback, Redick was blunt when asked how the Lakers could improve after being outrebounded by 20.
“Box out,” he replied.
The Lakers will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
