Lakers Confront Critical Moment as JJ Redick, Big Three Struggle With Team Identity

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers · Feb 24, 2026 · 17m

The Lakers have a ton of work to do before they can realistically expect to make a run in the Western Conference playoffs.

They don't have a lot of time to figure stuff out, but if they want to reach whatever ceiling exists for them, they need to both win games and improve in the process. That can start tonight vs. Orlando at the Crypt, a stretch of seven games against sub-.500 or banged up teams (or both). If the Lakers want to keep the shot they have to finish in the top four, and certainly to stay out of the play-in game, the next two weeks are filled with must wins. Orlando, Phoenix…