LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick looked livid.
He had just called timeout early in the second half Tuesday night and angrily strode on the court.
What unfolded was a memorable moment before the Lakers finished off the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 95-84 victory in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series at Crypto.com Arena.
Redick grew, shall we say, animated after watching the Timberwolves open the second half with 8-4 spurt and cut the Lakers lead, as much as 22 points in the first half, to 11. Then he rejoined his team, having yet to cool down.
‘We know JJ is going to (flip) out from time to time,’ LeBron James said after the game. ‘That’s JJ. … At this point for us, we obviously need to listen to the message and know how it’s delivered.’
James added, ‘For me, my high school coach my freshman year was kind of the same way. He would (spaz) out on us and you have to be able to understand it’s not how it’s saying it. But we responded out there.’
Indeed, they did.
After the timeout, Lakers went on a 9-0 run. Redick, the rookie NBA coach, denied being frustrated when he called the timeout.
‘Not frustration,’ he said. ‘It’s coaching.’
Later, Redick, ‘I think tonight it was more about getting that urgency switch turned back on.”
Lakers guard Austin Reaves grinned when asked what was Redick’s message in the huddle during the timeout.
‘Just say he wasn’t happy,” Reaves said.
Lakers duo understands their role
Luka Doncic has been a Laker for less than three months. That’s more than enough time to understand a fundamental truth about this team.
The Lakers are going only as far as Doncic and LeBron James can lead them.
On Tuesday, that meant back on stable ground in their first-round playoff series after a 95-84 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 2. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 with Game 3 to be played Friday in Minneapolis.
“Me and LeBron are leaders of this team,’’ Doncic said after the game. “We’ve got to keep the team together.”
James said it’s about showing by example: “You can’t ask your teammates or people who are going to battle with you…to make all those sacrifices if you’re not going to.’’
Here’s how Doncic and James led:
In the first quarter, when the Lakers’ confidence still could have been shaken after a 117-95 loss in Game 1, Doncic worked his wizardry. He scored 16 points and helped propel the Lakers to a 34-15 lead after the opening quarter. He also exemplified teamwork with his nine assists after having just one assist in the opening game of the series.
For his part, James missed a couple of shots within about four feet of the basket. But he did not miss the moment.
It came with 2:43 left and the Lakers up 90-81 and still in danger of a collapse.
That is, until James stole the ball from Anthony Edwards and went coast-to-coast for a layup and all but sealed the game.
“It was a great play,’’ Doncic said. “It was a winning play.’’
So said one Lakers leader of the other.
Masked man epitomizes Lakers
Rui Hachimura wore a mask in the second half apparently after getting hit in the nose. It was a poor fit and Hachimura needed a second mask. And wore it with the confidence of a WWE wrestler.
He continued to battle Minnesota’s big men and finished with 11 rebounds, five rebounds, two and a blocked shot. He also underscored the Lakers’ grit that was missing in their Game 1 loss.
“I thought Rui was big for us tonight,’’ Reaves said. “He didn’t get that many shots. But the physicality he played with on the defense end after getting hit in the nose…He was out their competing his (butt) off.’’
Added Redick, “He played like a warrior tonight.’’
The Lakers said they’d need to be more physical with the Timberwolves after Game 1. Hachimura was the best example, but the Lakers collectively exhibited toughness.
What’s next for Lakers
The Lakers and Timberwolves will play Game 3 Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Game 4 will be played Sunday at the Target Center, and Redick indicates he knows what to expect from these games.
“The mentality from both teams is to have a rock fight,” he said.