Rumors

Dave McMenamin: “When you play against the world champions and [miss] having a guy that averages 34 [points] and eight [rebounds] and nine [assists] and is that special, that’s [a major piece missing]” - LeBron James providing context to the Lakers’ offensive woes, while Luka Doncic is out

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At this point, the Lakers will take every win they can get, as they simply have found the Thunder to be the puzzle they cannot solve no matter what. And after the game, head coach JJ Redick lauded his team for getting up good enough looks to the point of winning “expected score”. “We won expected score so it was good enough to win,” Redick said, via Oh No He Didn't on X (formerly Twitter).

Clutch Points

Justin Martinez: Asked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when he first realized Chet Holmgren had a strong work ethic: “The first day, like when he walked in the doors. You could just tell how much he cares about the game and his game. He really wants to maximize his potential, and that’s all it comes down to, really and truly. A guy who wants to be the best version of himself gives himself the best chance to get there. Usually, it works out for guys like that. He just wants it really bad.”

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Brandon Rahbar: Egregiously out of context quote. Zora Stephenson: "I know that you say you have all the answers. How much did you have to think during the test tonight?" SGA: "Tonight was very simple. Multiple bodies, that means multiple people are open and just trust my teammates from there."

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Omari Sankofa II: Tobias: “Teams that go to Game 7 usually are lax in this type of game. We said before the game, don’t let that be our team. For us, just coming out with that type of energy, that type of fuel to keep us going, embrace the crowd, embrace this moment and just find our rhythm.”

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Between Two Beers Podcast: Steven Adams shares his incredible journaling technique to help quieten self doubt. "I write down exactly how I feel. Raw emotions. Whatever it is, the word, I'm just writing it down." "I imagine that as like a 10-year-old Steven. And then my response is an adult Steven."

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Dave McMenamin: “JJ’s been nice; we were ass” - Marcus Smart on how the Lakers were coached by JJ Redick in Game 1 vs. how the Lakers players executed in Game 1

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Lakers Daily: Austin: "Once you make a couple of mental mistakes, it seems like they take advantage of every one of them. So just gotta be sharp every possession."

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Lakers Daily: Austin: "I got to my spots multiple times. I just missed a couple easy shots."

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Clemente Almanza: Chet Holmgren on his playoffs this year compared to last year: “I just feel a lot better physically.”

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Dan Woike: Jared Vanderbilt suffered a dislocation of his finger, JJ Redick says. Some teammates are refusing to watch the play. Horrible luck for a player who has been very important behind the scenes and who adds an on-court toughness that they need.

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Oh No He Didn't: Q: Where do you think the offensive issues are coming from right now? LeBron: "The offensive issues coming from? We have a guy that averaged 37 a game. There's the issues right there"

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Lakers Daily: LeBron on Austin: "He was out a month. We know he's gonna make shots and make plays. That's tough when you're out a month towards the end of the season. ... His presence alone helps us, no matter what."

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Oh No He Didn't: JJ Redick on the shot quality tonight: "We won expected score so it was good enough to win"

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