JJ Redick reveals reason behind key Lakers decision in Game 4 against Timberwolves
In a pivotal Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers made an unexpected lineup decision by playing only five players in the second half. After experimenting with nine players in the first half and trailing at halftime, coach JJ Redick decided to stick with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith for the final 24 minutes. This decision, which was unplanned, led to heavy minutes for the starters, with James playing 46 minutes and others surpassing 40, raising concerns about fatigue. Despite the intense workload, such extended playtimes, though rare, are sometimes seen in playoff contexts. The Lakers now face critical choices regarding their rotation as they prepare for an essential Game 5 in the series.
During a crucial Game 4, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves and after leading most of the first half, found themselves trailing by halftime.
Coach JJ Redick initially used a lineup of nine players in the first half to find the right combination against the Timberwolves, but settled on a five-man lineup for the entire second half.
The five players who played the entire second half were LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith, a decision made spontaneously at halftime.
Fatigue became a concern as LeBron James played 46 minutes, Luka Doncic 45, and both Hachimura and Finney-Smith played over 40 minutes, an uncommon strategy even in playoffs.
The decision to stick with the same lineup throughout the second half is a rare occurrence in basketball, even for teams that rely heavily on their star players.
The Lakers are now tasked with addressing their rotation strategy and managing player fatigue as they head into a critical Game 5, where they need to win to stay in the series.
The unexpected lineup decision in Game 4 has sparked discussions about its impact on player performance and the team's strategy moving forward in the playoffs.
In their critical Game 4 loss, the Los Angeles Lakers made an unconventional lineup decision.
After leading throughout much of the first half, the Lakers entered halftime trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves. In what many considered to be a must-win Game 4, the Lakers needed some juice in the second half to try and even the series.
In the first half, Lakers coach JJ Redick used nine players as he looked to find the right lineup to match up against Minnesota. It appears he found the right lineup by halftime, considering the Lakers used only five players throughout the final 24 minutes.
“It wasn’t planned,” Redick said. “But we just made the decision at halftime.”
Redick and the Lakers ran the same five-man crew for the entire second half. LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith were the only Lakers to grace the court after halftime.
While Jaxson Hayes got the start, he was pulled after only a few minutes and never returned. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent, Jordan Goodwin and Jarred Vanderbilt each got some run in the first half, but clearly didn’t impress enough to break into the rotation after halftime.
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In playing the same lineup for the entire second half, fatigue might have been a factor in the final minutes. James crossed the 46-minute mark on Sunday, while Doncic hit 45 minutes and Hachimura and Finney-Smith each went over 40 minutes.
Those types of minute totals aren’t exactly ideal, but they typically come around in the playoffs. Still, even the teams that love playing their stars for long stretches or even entire halves, it is an extreme rarity to see the same lineup on the floor for an entire half.
While it might have seemed like the Lakers needed those five on the floor the entire half to have a chance, Redick and company have some things to figure out with the rotation ahead of a do-or-die Game 5.
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