Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t mince words after his team’s season came to an abrupt end. Following a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, Redick acknowledged the gap between their aspirations and reality.
“We want to win a championship, so we have to evaluate where we are right now,” Redick said in his postgame remarks. “We’re not good enough yet.”
The Lakers were swept out of the playoffs without a single victory in the series. The Thunder dominated the first three games, winning by 18, 18, and 15 points before a tighter Game 4 contest that ended with a 5-point deficit. Despite flashes of resilience, the Lakers were unable to overcome Oklahoma City’s balanced attack and defensive pressure.
Redick’s candid self-assessment underscores the challenges ahead for a team that entered the postseason with championship aspirations. With the offseason now underway, the Lakers face critical decisions to close the gap between their current roster and the elite teams in the Western Conference.