
Imago
Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick at a press conference at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Imago
Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick at a press conference at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It might be time for the Gonzaga standout on a two-way contract to finally wear his Los Angeles Lakers jersey. The team is missing Austin Reaves and big man Gabe Vincent while JJ Redick teased a little surprise for the Sacramento Kings. While the coach was being secretive about tonight’s starting lineup, the Purple and Gold made an announcement that gave away part of the surprise.
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Drew Timme might finally be joining the main rotation tonight. The former Brooklyn Nets player, who was in the G League, was signed to a two-way contract just last month. He has, however, not played in a game since December 5 because of a concussion.
Timme was questionable until at least Saturday night. While he’s still being monitored under the league’s concussion protocol, the Lakers announced today that he is available for Sunday night against the Kings.
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Lakers say Drew Timme (concussion protocol) has been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game versus Sacramento.
— Trevor Lane (@TrevorLane) December 29, 2025
Timme is likely to enter the game because the Lakers’ injury list is densely populated right now. Most prominently, Reaves is out for at least four weeks with a Grade 2 calf strain in his left leg.
The Lakers’ woes and a three-game losing skid going into tonight are another issue hurting them. Not surprisingly, Redick confirmed the team is recalibrating the lineup.
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JJ Redick is bringing reform to the Lakers that he wants to see
According to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin (who has a special kind of banter with Redick), the Lakers’ HC was very secretive about the changes ahead of tonight’s game.
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“JJ Redick said the Lakers will do something different with their lineup tonight, but would not reveal his starters. He did say that Nick Smith Jr. will have a chance for a bigger role in the interim with Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent out,” McMenamin reported.
Along with Drew Timme, the former Charlotte Hornets player might have the spotlight as well. He has averaged 7.6 points and 1.3 assists on 43.8% shooting from the field across 12 games this season.
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Dalton Knecht could also see more than his usual share of game time. He’s appeared in 24 games (starting once) and averaged 14 minutes a game this season.
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But this Pacific Division showdown won’t be at full strength either way. The Kings are also without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, Devin Carter, and Drew Eubanks.
Regardless, they’re hoping to claim a second consecutive win after beating the Dallas Mavericks yesterday. The Kings haven’t had consecutive home wins this season yet. But it’s also worth noting that this team might be fatigued on the second day of a back-to-back schedule.
The two teams faced each other in October. The Lakers clinched the close 127-120 contest between the two despite LaVine’s 32-point game.
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Besides Reaves and Vincent, Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is also ruled out for today. Redick is hoping the lineup changes will work for the better because recent events have put him on the hot seat with the media.
After losing to the Rockets on Christmas Day, Redick called out his team for losing their championship habits. Among the problems he listed, he hinted that the offense has been in disarray, with “too many random possessions,” since LeBron James returned.
The message in that dramatic Christmas presser was clear. Redick wanted change. So he’s bringing it against the Kings tonight.
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