Lakers Defensive Effort Questioned After Defeat To Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick questioned the group’s commitment after a 132-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns, calling out the defence. Phoenix dominated a decisive third quarter and handed Los Angeles a second

straight defeat, adding extra concern for a team that has now dropped three of its last five games.

Redick’s frustration peaked when asked if the roster contained enough players naturally wired for constant intensity and physical play, similar to the Suns. The response from Redick was brief and sharp: "No. " The defeat left the Lakers searching for answers on effort, communication and consistency at both ends of the floor.

The turning point arrived straight after half-time. Phoenix outscored Los Angeles 45-29 in the third quarter, attacking at will. During that spell, the Suns shot 72.7% from the field and an even more punishing 83.3% from three-point range, exposing rotations, close-outs and transition defence throughout the period.

Dillon Brooks punished the Lakers with 25 points, while Devin Booker added 21 as Phoenix claimed a second win in three outings, with all five starters reaching double figures. LeBron James finished with 23 points for Los Angeles, yet that contribution failed to prevent the team’s slide to another heavy defeat.

Across the wider 2025-26 campaign, Los Angeles have slipped badly on that side of the ball. After climbing to 17th in defensive rating by the end of last season, the Lakers now sit 24th in the league. That regression mirrors the team’s recent dip in form despite a strong overall record.

Los Angeles stand at 19-9, with this result marking their ninth loss and leaving them fourth in the Western Conference. Those numbers underline a solid start in the standings, yet the internal concern is growing. Players and staff are acknowledging that the current defensive level may not sustain long-term success.

Team	Season	Defensive Rating Rank	Record	Conference Position
Los Angeles Lakers	2024-25 (end)	17th	Not specified	Not specified
Los Angeles Lakers	2025-26 (current)	24th	19-9	4th in West

The Lakers were again short-handed as five-time All-Star Luka Doncic remained out injured. There was, however, a positive note with Austin Reaves returning after a calf strain. Reaves came off the bench and provided 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, giving useful scoring but not enough to mask the defensive flaws.

James tried to steady the offence and led Los Angeles in scoring, yet the pressure never eased. Phoenix kept finding open lanes and quality looks from deep. The inability to string together stops meant every Lakers run faded quickly, increasing the frustration that Redick voiced after the final buzzer.

Final pic.twitter.com/vE53cPPNZyLos Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 24, 2025

Redick expanded on those concerns by stressing that the concepts are not new to the players. The coach emphasised that the schemes, drills and video work are in place. Redick believes the issue lies more with choices made in real time, particularly on second efforts and transition commitment.

"We practice this stuff enough, Redick said of the defensive principles he wants to see. We review this stuff enough. We show film about this stuff enough that to me, it like comes down to just making the choice. It's making the choice. There are shortcuts you can take or you can do the hard thing and you can make the second effort, or you can sprint back or you can't. It's just a choice. And there's a million choices in a game, and you're very likely not going to make every choice correctly. But can you make the vast majority of them correctly? It gives you a chance to win. "

Los Angeles Lakers defence leadership and Marcus Smart’s reaction

Los Angeles brought in Marcus Smart during the offseason to address exactly these issues, counting on Smart’s reputation as a former Defensive Player of the Year to add toughness. After the Suns defeat, Smart echoed Redick’s criticism, delivering an even more direct view of where the group currently stands.

"We doing s***, Smart said. We're being real s*****right now, and it's showing.Every team goes through it trying to figure it out. You just pray that it happens early and we can fix it before it's too late. There's really no defence, no scheme we can do when we're giving up offensive rebounds in crucial moments like we are, or guys are getting wherever they want on the court. And there's no help, there's no resistance, there's no urgency. So, it's tough. And JJ is right. There's really nothing he can do. It's on us. "

Smart’s comments underlined a shared view that schemes alone are not the problem. The players highlighted offensive rebounds conceded in key situations and a lack of help defence as major factors. For a Lakers team aiming to contend from near the top of the Western Conference, raising defensive standards has become an immediate priority.