Redick's "Favorite Win" Showcases Lakers' Defensive Improvement

The Lakers proved Thursday night against the Sacramento Kings that they're learning how to win ugly - a skill that could prove crucial in salvaging their 2024-25 season. Despite shooting a frigid 40.4% from the field, JJ Redick's squad managed to grind out a victory by dominating the margins: rebounds, turnovers, and fastbreak points.

The team's defensive effort was particularly impressive in the second half, when the Lakers held Sacramento to just 42 points, including a suffocating 20-point fourth quarter. This performance clearly resonated for coach Redick, who's been preaching the importance of winning through effort rather than just offensive efficiency.

"As a group, I think this might be my favorite win we've had all season," Redick said via Spectrum SportsNet, explaining how the team's commitment to crashing the boards and limiting transition opportunities created a path to victory despite their shooting struggles. The coach specifically highlighted clutch offensive rebounds from Max and Gabe, along with key defensive plays from Cam, while noting the reliable excellence of his stars AR, LeBron, and AD.

Redick praised the Lakers' 14 offensive rebounds, emphasizing how offensive boards can energize a team through shooting slumps. "I thought it gave us not just extra opportunities, it gives you life," he explained, noting that the Lakers generated 14-15 more scoring chances than the Kings through their work on the offensive glass and ball security.

The victory came with an added milestone, as LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most regular season minutes in NBA history. It marks the second time James has passed Kareem in a minutes-related category, having already claimed the combined regular season and playoff minutes record last year. The achievement underscores not just James's legendary durability but his continued excellence despite accumulating more court time than any player in league history.

For a Lakers team that currently stands 15-12 (7th in the Western Conference) navigating a crowded field will require them to learn how to win through grit rather than just offensive firepower. Thursday's performance suggests they're developing that crucial ability to manufacture victories even when shots aren't falling - a skill that could determine whether they can turn their season around.