Lakers respond to JJ Redick’s call for change, rally to beat Jazz

CITY OF SALT LAKE — When Brice Sensabaugh scored a three-pointer in the third quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick quickly called a timeout and began gesturing with both hands at his players, clearly showing his displeasure with their defense.

The Lakers responded.

They especially increased their defensive intensity for a significant surge in the fourth quarter, slowing down the Utah Jazz and in the process the Lakers’ offense took off, the two converging at the right time to push them to a 143-135 victory Thursday night at the Delta Center.

The Lakers gave up 41 points in the first quarter and a season-high 78 at halftime. They allowed 57 points in the second half and put the Jazz away by scoring 41 points in the fourth quarter.

“Obviously we know this Utah team can score points at a very high rate, but it was very imperative that we get stops,” said LeBron James, who had another productive night with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. “We had to make some stops to start that fourth, and then that allowed our offense to click.”

But even though the Lakers took a 12-point lead in the fourth period, the Jazz continued to put pressure on the Los Angeles defense, closing to within four points late in the game.

Lebron James of the Lakers dunk over Kyle Filipowski of the Jazz at the Delta Center Thursday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

The Lakers had answers each time, keeping the game in their hands behind Luka Doncic’s triple-double – 45 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.

His 45-point triple-double and five steals made Doncic just the second player in NBA history to accomplish the feat since steals became official in 1973-74. Detroit Cade Cunningham (46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals) is the other player to do so, producing this against the Wizards in November 2025 in overtime.

Doncic was 14 of 28 from the field, four of 12 from three-point range and had just one turnover in 39 minutes, 33 seconds of play.

Doncic was also the first Laker to post a 40-point triple-double since Magic Johnson in 1981.

“Honestly, I think I could do a lot more,” Doncic said. “But I think one turnover is the best in terms of statistics on that stat sheet. So we had seven turnovers, which is impressive for us and we won the game. And again, that’s what matters. But I think we did a lot in the second half. We did a great job.”

The Lakers got a scare when James fell holding his left knee after a collision with Utah’s Walter Clayton Jr.

James was dribbling the basketball near the three-point arc when Clayton attempted a steal, but instead his knee hit the inside of James’ knee, knocking the Laker to the floor with 7:52 left in the second quarter.

James eventually got up and continued to play, resting with 4:53 left in the half.

James described what happened during the play.

“Just a little tap to the knee, like a sharp pain in the knee,” James said. “I got on my knees on the inside, like the medial side of the knee. And I just wanted to take my time a little bit while it calmed down or whatever. Or hoping it calmed down. I told Mike (Mancias) my coach, ‘We dodged a bullet there.'”

The Lakers were already without starters Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), but then added key player Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness) to the injury list, leaving them without three core players entering the game at Utah. Vincent will be re-evaluated in a week.

Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates after playing during the second half of a victory against the Jazz on Thursday night at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

(Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Jaxson Hayes started at center in place of Ayton and Smart started at guard for Reaves.

Injuries also affected the Jazz, as star forward Lauri Markkanen, the NBA’s ninth-leading scorer (27.8) this season, was out with a right groin injury.

Smart had 17 points, including going three-of-four on three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Hayes had 16 points, making all seven of his baskets.

Redick talked to his team at halftime about their poor defensive effort and he did it again in the third quarter during that timeout.

His message was simple.

“Players have to go out and do it,” Redick said. “So it didn’t, I don’t know if it triggered them or not, and I just know after that they were better.”