Anthony Davis has done his job perfectly as the center for the LA Lakers. But, you might say it’s too much pressure on one person playing and delivering for the last four games. However, Jaxson Hayes has also played his role as the center of the team. Unfortunately with a concerning list of injured players, JJ Redick had to adjust with just the two of them. But now, there might be buzzing good news for the Purple and Gold. What is going on?

The 7’1″ hooper, Christian Koloko reportedly learned an important step in his journey for JJ Redick’s squad. He’s allegedly on his way to return to the court after missing a major part of the league since April 2023 due to blood clot issues. This medical condition once posed a threat to the Cameroonian hooper’s basketball career. But not anymore. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday:

“Lakers 7-footer Christian Koloko has been medically cleared by the NBA’s fitness-to-play.” 

This means JJ Redick’s center will begin practicing with the team this week. He will make a return to the parquet floor after April 2023. Leaving behind the looming dark clouds of an obscure future, Christian Koloko’s green signal to play will be a major boost for Redick and Co. Koloko will take some burden off AD’s shoulders in the frontcourt, thus bringing his G League experience to the game.

The hooper had played in 58 games in his rookie season. He averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 48 percent from the field in 13.8 minutes per game. Koloko might not have been the most impressive center in the games, but JJ Redick could surely work with a new perspective in his blueprint of success. He could be used to add depth to the game behind Davis, and that could work like magic. Meanwhile, the HC has taken accountability for the Lakers’ loss against the Suns on Monday.

JJ Redick takes responsibility for the first defeat of the 2024/25 Regular Season

On Monday, the Lakers kicked off their first road trip in a rematch against the Phoenix Suns. The outcome? A loss at Footprint Center. Kevin Durant’s side broke JJ Redick’s winning streak after three games. The day’s positives are AD’s 29 points, Austin Reaves’ 23 points, and Rui Hachimura’s 20 points. Even LeBron James couldn’t go beyond 11 points. Falling short 109-105 the Suns gave Redick the first loss of his coaching career.

Despite playing with great intensity, however, it wasn’t just enough. Thus JJ Redick felt it would be the right thing to take accountability for the defeat. He said: “If there’s one thing to nitpick, it’s probably me. I probably should have gone to the Fire a possession or two earlier against KD. But I liked that group that we had out there defensively. I trust those guys. Then the other thing I would say is we should never have a 14-point quarter. That’s on me as well. Part of that is me. I got to make sure we’re running good offense.”

Well, the Suns surely showed where the Lakers were lacking. And now the team will have time to assess and rectify the loopholes. Their next nemesis is the Cleveland Cavaliers—an emotional game for LeBron. But from the team’s perspective, it will be yet another match against a tough opponent. JJ Redick now has two paths before him: Make the changes and continue winning or lose another match in a row. Well, option 2 seems out of the syllabus, so winning is the path ahead.