JJ Redick’s pointed critique—“I can joystick it as much as I want, but if you’re competing and you’re not playing, you’re just not participating in the game”—seemed prophetic. And this time, the Lakers once again fell apart in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns. After trailing just 62-60 at halftime, the Lakers emerged with the same disjointed energy that plagued them against Denver, quickly unraveling and allowing the Suns to build a commanding 115-88 lead late in the game.

Lakers Daily’s X update perfectly captured the lethargy: “Lakers offense looking lazy and disinterested. This is EXACTLY how they came out in the 3rd quarter vs. the Nuggets.” It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that the annoyance was clear in those words.

Turnovers proved fatal for the Purple & Gold here. They surrendered 19 points on 12 giveaways while forcing just 4 points off 9 Suns turnovers. This alarming trend mirrors their prior struggles against the Nuggets. Los Angeles’ complacency and defensive lapses were blamed for their third-quarter collapse.

Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis had addressed these issues, but the same lack of fight and focus persists, casting doubt on the Lakers’ ability to compete against the NBA’s elite. Once again, Los Angeles relied on AD and Bron to pull them over the edge. While the pair of them did heed the call, with Davis hitting all his shots and James setting up teammates like Hachimura for easy scores, it was not enough.

Phoenix, for their part, capitalized on the Lakers’ poor perimeter defense, hitting wide-open shots, and maintaining their lead. Moreover, the absence of Jarred Vanderbilt was painfully obvious. The Purple & Gold struggled defensively as sloppy turnovers paired with rushed threes continued to hurt them. The outcome was underwhelming, to say the least.

But it seems JJ Redick sees things a little differently.

What Did JJ Redick Say After Lakers’ 3rd Quarter Struggle vs Suns?

Well, he seems to have a positive outlook. After Los Angeles’ disastrous third quarter, Coach Redick was asked if he saw any similarities to their collapse against Denver. His response? “No, our guys kept playing. Our guys kept playing. It’s a tough night.” 

Surprisingly optimistic, yeah?

Redick’s comments, though, reflect a subtle defense of the Lakers’ effort, suggesting that despite the struggles, the team didn’t give up. However, at this point, not giving up alone is not praiseworthy. Simply because every single team out there is bringing in their A-game to try and get their hands on that Larry O’Brien. Furthermore, JJ’s perspective highlights a crucial distinction.

While the Lakers may have continued to compete, their lack of execution in critical moments, especially defensively, was glaring. In both the Nuggets and Suns games, the 3rd quarter proved to be their undoing. The team’s offensive and defensive lapses allowed their opponents to take control. And despite strong performances from James and Davis, LA couldn’t recover.

Ultimately, while Redick acknowledged the Lakers’ persistence, simply staying engaged wasn’t enough. The team’s inability to execute in key moments and their persistent defensive shortcomings remain major concerns, effectively casting a shadow over their ability to contend.