Luka Doncic Sends JJ Redick Message Before NBA Playoffs
Luka Doncic is set to make his highly anticipated playoff debut with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round series.
Doncic’s arrival in LA came as a shock to many after the Dallas Mavericks traded the five-time All-Star in February. Since then, the Slovenian star has quickly adapted to life in Los Angeles, helping lead the Lakers to the No. 3 seed in the West and securing home court advantage to start the postseason.
The 2024-25 playoffs will also mark a debut of sorts for Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who’s wrapping up a successful first year at the helm. The connection between Redick and Doncic runs deeper than coach and player—they were briefly teammates in Dallas during the 2020-21 season, Redick’s final year in the league.
In a recent sit-down with Spectrum SportsNet’s Chris McGee, Doncic reflected on what it’s been like reuniting with Redick in LA, this time with the former sharpshooter calling the shots from the sidelines.
“Well, easy,” Doncic said. “I’ve known him as a player. He’s totally different as a coach. He knows basketball. He lives basketball… It was easy for me.”
When asked if he’s impressed by Redick’s transition from player to head coach, Doncic didn’t hold back his praise:
“Yeah. Very impressed… I knew when I played with him that he could maybe be an assistant coach someday. I never expected him to be a head coach, but seeing what he has done has been unbelievable.”
Doncic and Redick now look to usher in a new era for the Lakers—one that could start with a statement win against a tough Timberwolves squad. The former Mavericks star is no stranger to Minnesota, having eliminated them in five games in last year’s Western Conference Finals, where he earned Conference Finals MVP honors after averaging 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
However, Doncic has struggled against the Timberwolves this season, averaging just 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in three meetings. With the playoffs now underway, he’ll look to flip the script and help lead the Lakers on a deep postseason run.
