Overview
- The Lakers fell 119-96 to the Rockets on Christmas for a third straight blowout, dropping to 19-10 while being outrebounded 48-25.
- JJ Redick said, “We don’t care enough right now,” questioned players’ professionalism, and set a hard film session and practice for Saturday before the Kings game.
- Luka Dončić agreed that “something needs to change,” saying better effort is required and that it starts with him.
- Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain after exiting the game and is expected to miss about four weeks.
- Reaction grew outside the locker room, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins criticizing Redick’s approach and columns pointing to Rob Pelinka’s roster construction as a larger issue with the trade deadline about a month away.