The tone from JJ Redick on the eve of Game 1 was not about adjustments on paper. It was about survival against a team he openly described as complete.
“Limiting their runs,” the Lakers head coach said Monday. “The game can get away from you so quick due to how explosive they are when they go on their runs.”
Oklahoma City enters the Western Conference semifinals after a sweep of Phoenix, while Los Angeles arrives after a six-game series against Houston. The contrast in momentum showed up immediately in Redick’s messaging.
“They’re different because they’re the best team,” he said. “They have everything. There’s not been a weakness with how they play.”
That statement reflects the regular-season reality. The Thunder won all four matchups, including multiple blowouts, and Redick did not attempt to reframe those results.
“We couldn’t learn a lot from those three games because we were awful,” he admitted.
Instead, the focus shifted to structure and discipline, particularly against a Thunder offense built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s paint pressure.
“I think Shai fits into their identity of driving the basketball, touching the paint,” Redick said. “They’re really sharp in their execution. They’re really good when you allow them to just move and get to next actions.”
He pointed to Oklahoma City’s ability to flow from action to action, highlighting Isaiah Hartenstein’s role.
“It’s a well-oiled machine,” Redick added.
The numbers support that view. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 33.8 points and 8.0 assists in the playoffs, while the Thunder’s efficiency spikes in transition after forcing turnovers.
“The live ball turnovers really kill you,” Redick said. “When they do get out in transition, they’re the best in the NBA in terms of points per possession.”
That reality has already forced a philosophical shift from the Lakers’ bench.
“I’ve already told the staff, I’ve already told the players, I’ve got to be more diligent than I normally am,” Redick said about timeout usage. “I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts… I don’t think you have the luxury of worrying about that.”
Los Angeles will also be without Luka Doncic, who remains sidelined with a hamstring strain.
“I don’t have any updates on Luka,” Redick said.
That absence places more pressure on LeBron James, who is averaging 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds, and on Deandre Ayton, whom Redick identified as a ceiling-shifter.
“DA’s had a great season,” he said. “He’s the person that changes our ceiling the most.”
Ayton is averaging 10.8 rebounds and shooting over 60 percent in the postseason, providing interior stability against a Thunder front line that plays with size and spacing.
Without Doncic, Redick pointed to intangible carryover from the first round.
“I would say belief, attention to detail, and voice,” he said.
That theme extended beyond players to coaching philosophy.
“The two things that stand out to me the most about coaching… is a general curiosity and desire to learn,” Redick said. “The second thing is the ability to communicate.”
