The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James hit another rough patch on Christmas Day, absorbing a 119–96 blowout loss to the Houston Rockets that marked their third straight lopsided defeat. After the game, head coach JJ Redick did not mince words when describing his team’s mindset, questioning whether the group truly cared enough to compete at a professional standard, per Real GM.
“We don’t care enough right now,” Redick said after the loss. “That’s the part that bothers you a lot. We don’t care enough to do the things that are necessary.”
The defeat dropped the Lakers to 19–14 on the season, with all 10 losses coming by double digits. Houston controlled the pace from the opening tip, dominating on the glass and pushing the ball in transition while Los Angeles looked sluggish on both ends.
Injury concerns only added to the frustration. Austin Reaves exited with a left calf strain and will undergo an MRI after just returning from a three-game absence tied to the same issue. Team sources indicated the Lakers should brace for a longer absence this time. Redick later promised an “uncomfortable” film session and practice, emphasizing that effort and execution have remained inconsistent.
“I’m not doing another 53 games like this,” Redick said.
Redick’s Blunt Message Sparks Debate
The comments immediately fueled discussion across the league, including on NBA on Prime, where former All-NBA guard John Wall weighed in on Redick’s approach.
“I think you’ve got to go have a team meeting, where you watch film and call the guys out you want to talk about,” Wall said, suggesting that airing frustrations publicly carries risks, especially with the personalities on the Lakers’ roster.
That roster includes James, the most scrutinized player in the league. James, who turns 41 next week, declined to speak to the media after the loss, as did Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura. The silence only intensified speculation about how the star veteran views the situation during his 23rd NBA season.
Despite the noise, former teammate Dwyane Wade offered a lighter, yet revealing, perspective on James’ mindset, per The Sports Rush.
“LeBron on his golf simulator right now,” Wade joked. “He’s working on getting that under. He’s not worried about this.”
Wade’s Joke Highlights a Bigger Shift
While Wade’s comment carried humor, it also hinted at a larger reality. James has openly acknowledged that retirement is getting closer, and his role with the Lakers has evolved. According to Wade, the day-to-day drama no longer consumes him the way it once might have.
That shift places more responsibility on Luka Doncic, who now shoulders much of the franchise’s on-court burden. Doncic averaged 29.5 points over his last six games but struggled with efficiency, shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three. The Lakers have been outscored by 50 points with him on the floor over the last five games.
“I don’t know what has to change, but definitely something needs to change,” Doncic said after the Christmas loss. “It definitely looks terrible.”
Even so, the broader picture remains more stable than the recent results suggest. The Lakers sit comfortably in the playoff mix and appear to be navigating what amounts to a transition season. Redick’s blunt comments may sting, but the hope inside the organization is that they serve as a wake-up call rather than a fracture point.
For James, if Wade’s assessment holds true, the storm may pass without much personal concern. The season still has a long way to go, and how the Lakers respond now will matter far more than any postgame soundbite.
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