The Los Angeles Lakers escaped with a win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, but not before turning it into a grind. Los Angeles coughed up a 20-point fourth-quarter lead, briefly trailed late, and needed several tense possessions to finally close it out. The defining moment came after Suns guard Dillon Brooks committed a technical foul, opening the door for a critical free throw that carried far more intrigue than expected. That shot went to LeBron James. He missed it.
James later made two free throws on a subsequent possession to secure the win, but the initial decision to step to the line raised eyebrows, especially with Luka Doncic on the floor. After the game, both James and head coach JJ Redick addressed how that moment unfolded, and their explanations revealed a disconnect between plan and execution, per Sports Illustrated.
LeBron Explains Why He Took the Shot
James did not shy away from the moment afterward. When asked whether he should have been the one to take the technical free throw, he made it clear the decision felt natural to him.
“Sh-t. I just walked to the free throw line. Why wouldn’t I?” James said. “I mean, I’d be ok with Luka taking it, too. We’ve both been in pressure situations. But I just took it. Unfortunately, I missed it. But I made up for it.”
James finished the night going 9-for-14 from the line, including the two late makes that gave the Lakers a lead they held until the final buzzer. Still, the missed technical loomed larger because of context. James has long dealt with scrutiny at the free throw line, and on this night, the margin for error felt thin.
Despite that, James framed the moment as instinctual rather than defiant. His comments suggested comfort with responsibility in big moments, even if the result did not immediately validate the choice.
@bleacherreport LeBron missed the technical free throw, but would go on to take the lead at the line after being fouled on a three point shot. (via Spectrum SportsNet) #nba #basketball #nbabasketball #lakers #lebron
JJ Redick Says Luka Was the Plan
Redick’s postgame explanation added a different layer. The Lakers coach acknowledged he expected Doncic to take the technical free throw and did not realize otherwise until it had already happened.
“Guys were out on the court,” Redick said. “Luka and I talked. I thought Luka was going to shoot it. I walk back, LeBron was at the free throw line, he shot it. I don’t know what the dialogue on the court was.”
Redick explained that the Lakers had discussed technical free throw assignments earlier in the season, noting that every team handles those moments differently depending on situation and personnel.
“But, yeah,” Redick added. “Luka should’ve shot that.”
The admission made it clear that James stepping to the line was not part of the immediate plan. Doncic had been effective from the stripe in the game and entered the moment as the expected option. Redick did not criticize James directly, but his comments underscored that the decision happened without his knowledge.
Ultimately, the Lakers survived their mistakes. Jarred Vanderbilt provided key defensive energy after recently falling out of the rotation, while bench contributions helped stabilize the game late, per Basketball Network. Redick embraced the chaos afterward, framing the win as progress rather than polish.
“Winning ugly is actually really fun, because it means you got in trenches and you fought,” Redick said. “It’s about growth, not perfection.”
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