Overview
- In 15 minutes, Vanderbilt totaled seven points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, including a fourth-quarter corner three.
- Redick said he informed Vanderbilt the day before that he would play and credited him with helping win the game "full stop."
- LeBron James highlighted the bench’s impact and praised Vanderbilt’s energy and defensive presence in the tight finish.
- The decision capped a multi-week process in which Redick, Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks kept Vanderbilt engaged and urged him to stay ready.
- Los Angeles has sought defensive fixes after falling to about a 116.5 defensive rating around 20th, and on/off data cited shows lineups with Vanderbilt defending better.