Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was pleased with what he saw on Monday against the Sacramento Kings. It was the Lakers’ first NBA preseason game, and they secured a 127-103 win. NBA star Luka Doncic led the team with 21 points in 16 minutes.
During the offseason, LA made several roster moves to build around Doncic. The front office added Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. After just one game, Redick loved how the team played on both ends.
Ahead of their preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Redick believes the Lakers accomplished their goal of providing Doncic with the right teammates.
Feb 20, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick at a press conference at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“In all our team-building, it was about finding guys who complement Luka and AR and we feel like we did that,” Redick said.
“In all our team-building, it was about finding guys who complement Luka and AR and we feel like we did that,” Redick said.
JJ Redick liked how the team consistently defended the Kings, forcing 26 turnovers. Acquiring elite perimeter defenders in Thybulle and Williams paid off, as they set the defensive tone.
“I think we had 16 turnovers forced in the first half, early possession shot clock violation, 27 (turnovers) overall… I know it’s a preseason game, but first time since 2000 the Lakers have done that. So clearly that disruption we talked about carried over.”
“I think we had 16 turnovers forced in the first half, early possession shot clock violation, 27 (turnovers) overall… I know it’s a preseason game, but first time since 2000 the Lakers have done that. So clearly that disruption we talked about carried over.”
The head coach praised Williams and Thybulle.
“I thought all the wings were really good. Ziaire (Williams) and Matisse (Thybulle), they kind of set the tone early for us.”
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“I thought all the wings were really good. Ziaire (Williams) and Matisse (Thybulle), they kind of set the tone early for us.”
The Lakers will enter the first season of the post-LeBron James era, and they believe Doncic is the next leader.
JJ Redick will enter his third season as an NBA head coach. Since accepting the position in 2024, the former Duke standout has grown as a coach. Ahead of his third season, he spoke about the growth he’s had. According to Redick, he constantly criticizes himself, helping him improve as a coach.
“That could be an interaction with the player, that could be how you handled emotional regulation with a referee. That could be how you communicated something, game plan wise (during) pre game. That could be how you run a practice, like, literally, like, your brain is just constantly assessing all of those things. And so, I think I’ve grown in all those areas,” he said.
“That could be an interaction with the player, that could be how you handled emotional regulation with a referee. That could be how you communicated something, game plan wise (during) pre game. That could be how you run a practice, like, literally, like, your brain is just constantly assessing all of those things. And so, I think I’ve grown in all those areas,” he said.
Before accepting the job, Redick had zero professional coaching experience. However, he is a volunteer head coach for his son’s fourth-grade boys’ team at the Brooklyn Basketball Academy.
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