JJ Redick sends strong warning to Lakers bench after pathetic 60-second span

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick warned his bench players after they nearly blew a 15-point lead in less than a minute against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Redick pulled his starters with a 123-109 lead with 1:43 remaining, expecting reserves to finish the contest. However, mistakes including turnovers quickly allowed Toronto to trim the deficit to just five points, forcing Redick to reinsert his key rotation players to close out the victory.

Redick stated he would not make that mistake again and vowed to withhold playing time from reserves who are not prepared to compete until the final buzzer. Rapid scoring from Raptors forward Jamison Battle and guard Jaden Bradley prompted the late re-entry of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Matisse Thybulle to protect the win.