Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has confirmed a theory circulating among fans: Opponents seem to get miraculously healthy when it’s time to play against the Lakers. According to Redick, the team’s analytics department has found that “86% of [opposing] payroll has been available to [play] us this year, which is by far No. 1 in the league”.
This trend has not gone unnoticed by fans, who have long theorized that player availability is somehow different when their team is involved.
Los Angeles Lakers Opposition Miraculously Heals Ahead of Games
Redick himself seems to have accepted this as a reality. Ahead of a recent matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, he was already anticipating the return of Ja Morant, who had been absent for six games. While the Grizzlies might argue that Morant’s return was due to being “fully healthy,” Redick has observed a “noticeable trend” throughout the season.
There have been multiple instances of players recovering just in time to face the Lakers, only to regress to being unavailable for games before or after. Norman Powell, for example, put up a four-point performance after recovering in March, and Donte DiVincenzo returned against the Lakers in February after missing 43 games.
The Lakers’ popularity and marketability likely play a role in this phenomenon. As Redick implies, playing against stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic provides opponents with a high-profile stage to showcase their talents.
Despite the challenges, Redick remains optimistic about his team’s morale and their prospects for the playoffs. He emphasizes the urgency of each game, stating, “Every game so far has been the most important this season, and tonight is the most important game of the season so far”. With a record of 44-29, the Lakers are currently fourth in the West. As they head into the playoffs, the Lakers will need to maintain focus and play cohesively, as “the margin for error is slimmer than ever”.