After taking the lead three minutes into Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to put it on cruise control as they led by double-digits for much of the rest of the game in the eventual 94-85 Lakers win.
They lost Game 1 at home by 20+ to the young and energetic Timberwolves, so a big first quarter could have been expected. They jumped out to the tune of a 35-14 lead in that first frame and never looked back—kind of.
There was a moment in the third quarter where it seemed like Minnesota was slowly but surely inching back into it. After back-to-back Anthony Edwards buckets, the Lakers lead had been cut to 62-51.
Head coach JJ Redick was attempting to put a play call in for the ensuing offensive possession, but a lack of response from his team made him explode like a volcano as he called a timeout.
“Time out. What the f*ck is going on. Jesus f*cking Christ, what the f*ck are you guys doing. Come on!”
-JJ Redick to the Lakers team before they went on their run pic.twitter.com/i0mJdkRwZl
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 23, 2025
It turns out, his anger refocused the Lakers, who went on a 14-3 run right after the timeout, pushing the lead above 20 and essentially putting the game out of reach for Minnesota.
LeBron, Lakers have seen Redick get mad before
LeBron James—who struggled from the field again, going 8-for-19, but still contributed 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists—was asked about Redick’s little moment after the game.
“We understand JJ is going to spaz out from time to time.”
LeBron James on JJ Redick’s irate timeout in the 3rd Q: “We understand JJ is going to spaz out from time to time”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 23, 2025
Clearly, this isn’t the first time Reddick has lost his temper on the sidelines, which makes the tirade a little bit more palatable. A fan angle of Reddick speaking to the team during that timeout would suggest that most of his frustrations were pointed at forward Rui Hachimura.
With the way L.A. responded to Redick after that situation, it might be worth it for the coach to keep himself right on the edge for the rest of the series just in case the Lakers ever need another boost.
The Lakers will look to reclaim the home court advantage in this No. 3 vs. No. 6 first round matchup with a second straight win in Game 3 on Friday night in Minnesota.
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