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JJ Redick on needing to call timeouts to dull Thunder runs
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a significant step up in competition as they face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs. After defeating the Houston Rockets in six games, the Lakers now meet the defending champions, who swept the Phoenix Suns and finished the regular season with a league-best 64-18 record.
Oklahoma City also dominated the regular-season matchup against Los Angeles, winning all four meetings. The Thunder’s combination of defensive pressure and efficient offense has made them one of the most difficult teams to contain, and the Lakers enter the series without Luka Dončić, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge ahead, pointing to Oklahoma City’s ability to control games through momentum swings. With Game 1 set in Oklahoma City, the Lakers are focused on limiting those stretches that have defined the Thunder’s success.
Redick identified Oklahoma City’s ability to generate scoring runs as the primary issue his team must address in the series.
“Well, we couldn’t learn a lot from three of those games because we were god awful,” Redick said. “I think bigger picture, just a general thing with them is they’re really good at runs.”
“I’ve got to be more diligent than I normally am. I like my timeouts, I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts, I like having two in the last 30 seconds. I don’t think you have the luxury [vs. OKC]” – JJ Redick on needing to call timeouts to dull Thunder runs
He explained that those runs are fueled by the Thunder’s defense and ability to force turnovers that quickly turn into offense.
“Part of that is how good their defense is, their ability to create turnovers. The live ball turnovers really kill you,” Redick said.
Although Oklahoma City does not rely heavily on transition play, Redick noted their efficiency when they do get out in the open floor.
“They don’t get out and transition a ton. But when they do, they’re the best in the NBA in terms of PPP,” he said.
Redick added that, even in losses, the Thunder have consistently shown the ability to build scoring bursts.
“They did it to Phoenix in the first round. They did it to us in the regular season. Even in their losses, they had, on average, an 8.3 scoring win, even in their losses. So it’s what they do.”
GettyLos Angeles Lakers Head coach JJ Redick
To counter those runs, Redick said he plans to adjust his in-game approach, particularly with timeouts. He referenced Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as an example of managing momentum with quick decisions.
“I know Rick Carlisle is like the master of that, is like the quick timeout,” Redick said. “I’ve already told the staff, I’ve already told the players, like, I’ve got to be more diligent than I normally am.”
Redick admitted that his usual preference for conserving timeouts late in games may not apply against Oklahoma City.
“I like my timeouts. I like going into the fourth quarter with four timeouts. I like having two in the last 30 seconds,” he said. “I don’t think you have the luxury of worrying about that because the game can get away from you so quick.”
Instead, the focus will be on stopping momentum before it becomes decisive.
“So mitigating the 12- to 15-point runs, I think, is really important,” Redick added.
Beyond timeout usage, limiting turnovers remains central to the Lakers’ strategy. The Thunder’s defensive pressure, led by players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and anchored by rim protectors like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, has consistently disrupted opposing offenses.
The Lakers showed signs of vulnerability in that area during their first-round series, as stretches of sloppy ball-handling created scoring opportunities for Houston. Against Oklahoma City, those mistakes could prove more costly.
Offensively, Los Angeles will rely on LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura to generate consistent scoring while navigating one of the league’s top defensive units. The Lakers’ ability to hit perimeter shots and avoid live-ball turnovers will be critical in preventing the Thunder from building momentum.
Game 1 will test whether Los Angeles can execute that approach against a team that has already demonstrated its ability to overwhelm opponents with sustained pressure and efficient scoring runs.
Debayan Biswas Debayan Biswas is a sports writer at Heavy Sports covering NBA, NFL, Soccer, and Golf. His work has been syndicated on Yahoo Sports, Yardbarker, Flipboard, The Sun News, and The Olympian. Previously, he contributed to Athlon Sports, EssentiallySports, and PFSN. More about Debayan Biswas
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