Lakers Rotation Strategy: JJ Redick Faces Entire Second Half with Wolves Against Same Five Lakers Players
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Redick Takes Radical Approach in Game 4, Breaking Playoff Tradition
JJ Redick shook up the playoff scene in Game 4, making history as the first coach in the play-by-play era to field five players for the entire second half. The unprecedented move included Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith, who played an uninterrupted 24 minutes[1].
This audacious tactic has never been seen before in the play-by-play era, dating back to 1996-97[2][3][4]. Redick's rationale seemingly boiled down to a desperate bid to prevent a 3-1 series deficit.
Alas, Minnesota turned the tables, outscoring the Lakers 32-19 in the fourth quarter to secure a narrow 116-113 victory. The Lakers' elder statesman, James, faltered in the final act, going scoreless after compiling 27 points through three quarters. Doncic, Reaves, and their countrymen, the Lakers' "Big Three," struggled mightily in the fourth, going a combined 3-for-15.
Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jordan Goodwin limped off the bench, contributing an unimpressive 27 minutes without a single point. Minnesota took advantage of the fatigue, nailing 10-for-22 field goals and 5-for-11 three-pointers in the fourth[4].
The Post-Game Chatter
As the players shared their thoughts, perspectives tugged in different directions. James remained adamant that fatigue played no part in their failure to convert[4]. "We had some open shots – wide open looks," James explained, recalling missed point-blank layups that could have sealed the game. "Doncic had a point-blank layup to put us up seven. I had a point-blank layup to put us up four. We had chances. I don't think fatigue affected us."
Finney-Smith echoed James' sentiments, emphasizing that the players themselves didn't want to rest, given the intensity of the playoffs[4]. However, Redick admitted that the gamble wasn't part of the original plan. When he checked in on the players at the start of the fourth quarter, he assured them they had two extra timeouts on standby, ready to plug in a substitute if needed[4].
Wolves' star Anthony Edwards saw things differently, asserting that the Lakers seemed to be tiring towards the end[4]. "I felt like they were gassed going down the stretch," Edwards said, adding, "So I just tried to keep my foot on the pedal and push forward."
The Wolves now set their sights on LA, preparing for Game 5 on Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. EST.
Sources:
- Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) April 27, 2025
- https://www.nba.com/stats/team-paced/#!/2023/playoffs/team/shots/2
- https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-by-play/w.html
- https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401459055
- JJ Redick, the NBA coach, took a radical tack in Game 4, fielding five players for the entire second half, a move never seen before in the play-by-play era, as he aimed to prevent a 3-1 series deficit.
- LeBron James, the Lakers' elder statesman, defended his team against claims of fatigue during the final game act, insisting they had wide open shots and missed crucial layups that could have sealed the win.
- On the other hand, Dorian Finney-Smith agreed with James, emphasizing that the players themselves did not want to rest, given the intensity of the NBA playoffs.
- Contrasting perspectives arose following the game, with Minnesota's star Anthony Edwards asserting that the Lakers seemed to be tiring towards the end, while JJ Redick admitted that the gamble to play an uninterrupted 24 minutes without timeouts wasn't initially part of the plan.
- With the Wolves now setting their sights on LA for Game 5, various measures in sports and basketball will be taken to ensure koala-level energy and focus during high-stakes playoff clashes.
