In Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers had things rolling. Luka Doncic was throwing lasers; LeBron James was gliding to the rim as if he had a time machine; the Thunder were getting steamrolled. The team was vibing, but one man was going off in a full blown sideline meltdown: JJ Redick, who leapt into the air as if he heard that Reaves forgot the playbook.
With the Lakers up comfortably, Redick spotted Reaves floating around on offense instead of sprinting to the opposite corner. Cue the fireworks. JJ started yelling, jumping, flailing, basically doing everything except physically dragging Reaves into position. If there was ever a moment that screamed “first-year head coach energy,” this was it.
And yet—it worked.
Moments later, Reaves shifted, LeBron found the passing lane, and Jaxson Hayes dropped the hammer with a dunk. The setup? All JJ. The reaction? Pure chaos. The sideline went wild, fans lit up social media, and Redick went from angry coach to playmaker of the night.
JAXSON HAYES HAMMER!
All set up by JJ. Peep JJ Redick on the sideline directing traffic and yelling at Austin Reaves to get to the opposite corner
Amazing amazing head coach JJ is pic.twitter.com/UaQShYuI3z
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) April 6, 2025
It wasn’t a missed cut, it was greatness demanded. Redick was not about to let a small mistake go. Not on his watch. Not in a statement game like this.
Lakers Torch Thunder As Doncic, LeBron Cook
JJ was pounding the spotlight while the Lakers put OKC down piece-by-piece with surgical precision. The final score? 126-99. A complete blowout.
As usual, Doncic was his alien self, 30 points, 6 assists, threading his way through needles, running the floor like a general. There’s no easying out for LeBron, 19 points, 3 boards, 7 assists, the whole thing just isn’t slowing down with this nagging groin issue. But then Reaves added 20 to redeem himself after JJ’s fury, Hayes gave us a poster moment for the ages.
The Lakers connected on 55% of their threes, took the boards, and pushed OKC into a proverbial panic. But, even still, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 26 points, and it felt like empty stats. Was there something to LA’s defense being so sharp and their offense so smooth? Absolutely locked in.
This isn’t Redick’s first viral energy moment this year, and to be real again, it won’t be the last. He’s already complained about the Most Improved Player award getting broken up, he’s in a walking soundbite in pressers, and now he’s adding in sideline choreography? Certified content machine.
Mar 8, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts after a technical foul during the fourth quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
But beyond the theatrics, JJ’s coaching chops are showing. He’s holding players accountable in real time, he’s building chemistry, and moments like this—where frustration becomes a highlight—are a glimpse of how seriously he takes this gig.
With win number 48 in the books, the Lakers are officially heating up at the perfect moment. The chemistry between Doncic and LeBron is dangerous, the role players are stepping up, and Redick is coaching like his life depends on every possession.
They’ve got momentum, they’ve got star power, and if Redick keeps pulling puppet strings like this? They might just make some serious noise come playoff time.
The post JJ Redick Jumps in Anger at Austin Reaves Even as Lakers Dominate OKC in Oklahoma appeared first on EssentiallySports.
