Image Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

‘I Blame Redick!’ — Kendrick Perkins Rips Rookie Coach JJ Redick After Lakers Fall Behind 3–1 vs Timberwolves

Image Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers has fallen behind in the playoffs’ series against Minnesota Timberwolves after a devastating fourth game loss on Sunday. NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins believed that the loss had to do with the inexperience of JJ Redick that eventually cost them the game and the series as well.

The former OKC Thunder player said, “I blame this on Redick. Playing guys for 24 straight minutes is unacceptable. Especially a 40-year-old LeBron James. You don’t trust your bench, Vanderbilt, especially when you’re going against an athletic Minnesota Timberwolves. A rookie mistake by JJ Redick that caused the Lakers the game.”

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to go ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves in all parts of the game. The Lakers trailed the Timberwolves for the majority of the game, but the deficit was not very big as well. Meaning the visitors could have pushed further to make a comeback into the series.

JJ Redick in the 2nd half:

Rui Hachimura: 24 MIN
LeBron James: 24 MIN
Austin Reaves: 24 MIN
Luka Doncic: 24 MIN
Dorian Finney Smith: 24 MIN

The 1st time in NBA playoff history a substitution wasn’t made in a half 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sWCxwFlK3d
— Lakers Better (@LakersBetter) April 27, 2025

Also Read: “It’s first to four wins” – ‘Optimistic’ Luka Doncic Backs Lakers to Win the Playoff Series against Wolves After Going 3-1 Down

There were many questionable decisions taken by Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick that did more damage to the side rather than fixing it. The Lakers eventually ran out of gas and couldn’t close the game, thus taking home a loss of 116-113. They now trail the series by 3-1.

JJ Redick’s Rotation Gamble Backfires Late

JJ Redick barely gave any rest to his starting five. The head coach barely had any trust in his bench and continued using his starters for 24 minutes straight in the second half. This meant that the starters eventually ran out of energy and couldn’t deliver in the crucial stage of the game in the fourth quarter.

However, the fourth quarter problem for Los Angeles is not only attached to this game but throughout the playoffs’ series. Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round have outscored their opponents by a score of 105-69 in the fourth quarter. This just shows how the Timberwolves have been a clutch team while Lakers have lacked the same.

A large part of the reason behind the fourth quarter debacle for the Lakers is also the age difference of the two sides. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a fairly young squad led by Anthony Edwards, who is known for his athleticism. While LA has older players in comparison and are also led by a 40-year-old LeBron James.

Adding on top of that the lack of rotation that has been seen in almost all the four games so far from the Redick camp. Lakers on Sunday similarly got tired and lost the intensity in the fag end of the game. With the series returning to Los Angeles, the home team has a do-or-die game in their hands on Wednesday.