In one of the boldest coaching moves in NBA Playoff history, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick made headlines by playing the same five players, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith, for the entire second half of Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This marked the first time in the play-by-play era that a coach rolled with five players for a full half in a playoff game. After the Lakers’ heartbreaking 116-113 loss, Redick addressed the reasoning behind the unprecedented decision.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Redick made it clear that sticking with one lineup was not part of the original game plan.
“We certainly played well enough to win. Not a planned thing to play 5 guys an entire second half. I asked them, beginning at the 4th quarter, we have two extra timeouts. If you need a sub, let us know, those guys gave a lot.”
Redick added that he and the coaching staff communicated with the players throughout the second half, telling them they had extra timeouts available if anyone needed a break.
Despite the heavy minutes, Redick stood by his choice. Given the circumstances, a shortened rotation, a depleted bench, and the stakes of the game, it is understandable why Redick chose to ride his stars.
Yet, the physical toll was undeniable. The Lakers managed to build a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Minnesota roared back, outscoring them 32-19 in the final period.
Lakers players like LeBron and Luka missed critical layups down the stretch, and while no one publicly blamed fatigue, Anthony Edwards bluntly said afterward, “I felt like they were gassed.” Edwards himself poured in 16 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter to close out the win.
Luka Doncic, who had just recovered from a brutal stomach bug that left him bedridden before Game 4, echoed the sentiment that fatigue was no excuse. LeBron and Rui Hachimura also insisted they felt fine, attributing their missed opportunities more to execution than tired legs.
Still, with the Lakers now trailing 3-1 in the series, Redick’s decision will be second-guessed in hindsight. Was trusting the starters without a single substitution a daring act of belief, or a coaching misstep caused by desperation?
Time will tell, but what is certain is that Redick made history, even if it came at a cost the Lakers could not afford. Game 5 will demand a new approach if the Lakers hope to stave off elimination.
