JJ Redick is a patient man. But?

But after yet another frustrating loss, his patience is being tested more than ever. The Los Angeles Lakers fell 118-106 to the Orlando Magic, marking their third straight loss and leaving them a brutal 3-7 in their last ten games. At this point, it’s not just about losing—it’s how they’re losing.

The biggest issue? Defense—or the complete lack of it.

Before the game, Redick was already concerned about the team’s bad defensive habits. And after watching his squad crumble in familiar fashion, his frustration became crystal clear.

“Yeah, I mean, again, I think it’d be nice,” Redick said postgame, his tone measured but pointed. “We’re going to hopefully get some court time in Indiana on Wednesday. I think there is time, but we’ve got to be very strategic about how we use that time outside of games.” The Lakers don’t have forever to figure this out.

Redick’s biggest issue isn’t just bad defense—it’s that the team knows what to do but won’t stay consistent.

Redick has been harping on defensive communication for weeks. And early on? The Lakers actually had it. Austin Reaves, who dropped 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, saw it firsthand: “We started off the game tonight with a lot of communication. And then when they go on a little bit of a run, I think we kind of get quiet a little bit. We can’t do that.”

That right there? That’s the problem. The Lakers are locked in—until they’re not. They led 60-51 late in the second quarter behind Luka Doncic’s 21 first-half points. But then? A 7-0 Magic run wiped out their momentum before halftime. And by the third quarter? Orlando completely flipped the script with a 13-2 stretch, leaving the Lakers in the dust.

Luka, who finished with 32 points, didn’t hold back postgame: “I think we just got a little bit satisfied. We can’t afford that right now.” And that’s exactly what Redick has been trying to break—this bad habit of letting up the second things get tough.

Lakers’ Locker Room Has a Bigger Issue

But let’s be real. This isn’t just about defense anymore. Reports suggest that certain players, including Rui Hachimura, refused to acknowledge their mistakes postgame.

That? That’s a problem bigger than any defensive rotation. Redick can teach all the Xs and Os in the world, but if guys aren’t holding themselves accountable, none of it matters.

And that became painfully obvious in the fourth quarter. The Lakers cut the deficit to seven with 5:39 left—a perfect moment to make a push. Instead? Franz Wagner buried them. He hit back-to-back buckets and then a dagger three, putting the game out of reach.

JJ Redick has been patient, but patience won’t fix this. The Lakers don’t need a blockbuster trade or some miracle lineup change—they need effort, consistency, and accountability.

Unless they find their own version of Michael’s Secret Stuff, all the talent in the world won’t save them.