Lakers Coach Draws Criticism for Final Play Call in Season-Ending Loss

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick faced criticism from fans after a late-game substitution in the team's season-ending loss on Monday night. With 12.2 seconds remaining and the Lakers trailing 113-110, Redick called a timeout. The group that returned to the court included LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart.

The fifth player was Maxi Kleber, who had sat on the bench for the previous 47 minutes and 48 seconds of game time. Rui Hachimura, who had scored 25 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range including a four-point play one minute earlier, was moved to the bench.

Reaves then attempted a deep three-pointer off a screen set by Kleber. The shot missed, and the Lakers' season concluded.

Social media users questioned the decision to bench Hachimura, who had shot 33-of-58 from three-point range across the 2026 playoffs for a 56.9 percent success rate. One post noted that Hachimura was not on the floor for the Lakers' final possession needing a three.

Another highlighted the choice to sit Hachimura in the closing seconds. " The criticism centered on Hachimura's strong performance that night and his case for remaining on the court or potentially taking the final shot.

The play design called for either James or Reaves to take the shot. Kennard, who led the league in three-point percentage at 47.8 percent, remained on the floor as a spacing threat. Smart was included for his ability to make big shots in clutch situations.

The choice came down to the role of the fifth player as a screener. Kleber was viewed as a stronger screen-setter than Hachimura in that specific spot. The Lakers had trailed throughout the game and were facing elimination.