The Los Angeles Lakers picked up an impressive 127-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, winning their 50th game of the season to strengthen their hold on the No. 3 seed in the West. This was a monumental night for head coach JJ Redick, who has led the franchise to 50 wins across his first two seasons in the NBA.
Redick joins Phil Jackson as the last Lakers head coach to have achieved this feat (2010, 2011). This is a testament to Redick's early form as an NBA coach, as these are his only two seasons of coaching, and he had to overcome midseason adversity to make this win total possible.
Luka Doncic, who has had two 50-win seasons over six years on the Mavericks, can already claim two 50-win campaigns on the Lakers to his name. He sent a message to his former teammate and now coach in his post-game interview to recognize this milestone.
“It’s been great. He’s a hell of a coach. I’m excited to get coached by him everyday so he deserves it. Obviously, a lot of work to do, but it’s been great.”
Doncic put up 42 points (13-26 FG) and 12 assists in the win over the Cavaliers, averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists over March as the Lakers had a 14-2 record through the month.
Their late-season dominance has many pegging them as potential dark horse title contenders in the West, provided Doncic can sustain the incredible form he's been on.
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Redick deserves a lot of credit for taking what many called an imperfect roster before the season started, and overachieving with it. The Lakers had an over/under of 46.5 wins for the season, according to Basketball Reference, a mark they've comfortably blown past with weeks remaining in the season.
Despite injuries leading to substantial absences for the big three of Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, along with other rotational absences, Redick has shepherded the Lakers to a 50-26 record. This is in large-part due to Redick's clutch execution, with the Lakers going 22-7 in clutch games this season.
The Lakers have definitely found a coach who can lead them to strong regular-season performances. Now, the question is if Redick can win his first playoff series as a coach this year.
