Image Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

‘Eagles, Florida Gators, I Only Root for Winners’ – JJ Redick Gives Hilarious Reply to Reporter’s NFL Team Query!

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially booked the third spot in the Western Conference standings.

Image Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has made it clear- he only roots for the winners. On Friday, April 11, the Lakers recorded a blowout 140-109 win over the Houston Rockets, marking their 50th win of the season. After the win, Redick talked to the the press, where he opened up about a few aspects, including his favorite NFL teams.

During the post-game press meet, Redick was spotted in an Eagles hoodie, and a reporter went on to ask if he is a fan of the team. Redick, who is in his first year of coaching, didn’t miss a beat and replied,

“I only root for winners, the Eagles, Florida Gators.”

Notably, the Eagles and the Gators are the two elite American football teams. While the Eagles have won four NFL Championships and two Super Bowls, including the latest edition of the Super Bowl, the latter have won three national championships since 1990, as well as clinched eight conference titles.

Coming back to the Lakers, this is the first time since 2020 that Lakers reached the fifty-win mark. They are now guaranteed to host at least one playoff series, and have the homecourt advance for the first time since 2012.

YESSIR pic.twitter.com/omM1JFm7wP
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 12, 2025

Los Angeles Lakers Clinch Third Playoff Seed in Western Conference

As the Los Angeles Lakers recorded a blowout win over the second-seeded Rockets, they booked themselves the third spot in the Western Conference playoff standings. Since the Rockets already clinched the No. 2 seed in the West, they decided to rest all their key players. They were without names like Dillon Brooks (rest), Tari Easton (left leg), Alperen Sengun (personal reasons), Jabari Smith Jr. (left groin), Amen Thompson (rest) and Fred VanVleet (right ankle).

Also Read: Austin Reaves and JJ Redick Reflect on Proving Themselves Throughout Their NBA Careers

The Rockets scored back-to-back triples early in the game before Luka Doncic and LeBron James’ alley-oop got the Lakers on the board. The Lakers went on a 12-4 run to take a 26-24 lead, while Houston struggled with turnovers and misses. By the end of the first quarter, LeBron James and Co. led their counterparts 38-32, on the back of Luka Doncic’s 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Cam Whitmore, on the other hand, scored 10 points for the Rockets.

The Gold and Purple brigade went on an 8-0 run spanning the end of the first quarter and start of the second and led 40-32. Luka Doncic came up with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists, whereas James and Austin Reaves came up with 14 points apiece to maintain a 78-56 lead over the rivals. With it, the Lakers matched their season-high for first-half points.

While Cam Whitmore recorded his career-high 23 points through the end of the third quarter, the home favorites maintained their dominance and ended the third period with a 107-87 scoreline. Whitmore scored his career-high 31 points, but the Rockets couldn’t narrow the gap and slumped in a blowout 140-109 loss.

Luka Doncic finished with 39 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Austin Reaves backed him with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Rui Hachimura scored 16 points, five rebounds and one assist, whereas the 22-time NBA All-Star LeBron James finished with 14 points, four rebounds and eight assists.

On the other hand, Whitmore tallied 34 points, eight rebounds and one assist while Reed Sheppard came up with 14 points, three rebounds and five assists. Nate Williams came up with 12 points, two rebounds and one assist, while Aaron Holiday had 11 points, two rebounds and four assists.

The Lakers will be against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday in the final regular season game of the season. Since they have already booked their spot, they don’t have anything left to play for. Hence, it is expected that they rest their key players to begin preparations for the postseason.

Also Read: NBA’s 2024-2025 Most Valuable Player Race: Who Should Win the Award This Season?

Florida Gators

JJ Redick

Los Angeles Lakers

Philadelphia Eagles

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.