Deandre Ayton Responds to JJ Redick’s ‘Uncomfortable’ Lakers Statement

The tension surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers followed them out of Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day, and it didn’t subside once the microphones were turned on. After a lopsided 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets, head coach JJ Redick delivered one of his sharpest postgame critiques of the season.

Los Angeles lost its third straight game in convincing fashion. Houston led by double digits the entire second half and dominated the glass 48-25. The night got worse when guard Austin Reaves exited early with another calf issue, forcing the Lakers to adjust on the fly.

Redick didn’t mince his words afterward, describing the loss as a reflection of habits rather than talent.

“The two words of the day were effort and execution,” Redick said. “When we do both, we’re a good basketball team. When we don’t, we’re a bad basketball team. Tonight, we were a bad basketball team.”

He went on to signal that accountability would follow quickly, warning players that the upcoming practice would not feel routine.

“We don’t care enough about it right now,” Redick said. “We don’t care enough about doing the things that are necessary. We don’t care enough about being professional. Saturday’s practice is going to be uncomfortable. The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I’m not going to do another 53 games like this.”

Redick’s message meets reality

Redick’s comments echoed frustrations he expressed after an earlier loss, when he described defense and focus as everyday choices the team failed to make. Publicly, the message seemed firm and decisive.

Privately, at least one response suggested a disconnect.

When reporters later asked Lakers center Deandre Ayton how the much-discussed “uncomfortable” meeting went, his response immediately changed the tone.

“Did you all buy into that?” » Ayton said, causing a mixture of laughter and surprise in the room. He followed with a brief refusal to elaborate, saying he wouldn’t share any details.

The comment landed softly in delivery but heavily implied. Ayton didn’t directly challenge Redick, but his reaction raised questions about how the coach’s public stance translated behind closed doors.

Where are the Lakers now?

Despite the recent skid, the Lakers remain positioned near the top half of the Western Conference at 19-10. The early season stability helped them deal with roster changes and injuries, including LeBron James’ missed time earlier in the year.

Yet the past week has revealed cracks. The offensive pace is stalled, defensive turnovers have diminished and Reaves’ health now appears to be a real concern after missing three games earlier with the same calf issue.

Redick’s postgame remarks were intended to reset norms and urgency. Ayton’s response, intentional or not, suggests that the locker room may not have felt the same level of discomfort publicly promised.

What this means moving forward remains unclear. The Lakers have time to stabilize, but the gap between message and perception is now clearly visible. How JJ Redick closes that gap and how players respond may matter as much as any on-court adjustment. Let’s see what happens.

Burtland Dixon Burtland Dixon is a sports journalist who covers the NBA and athlete culture for Heavy.com. A former Division II athlete turned journalist, he offers a unique blend of locker room perspective and storytelling expertise. He has over eight years of experience in digital media and previously served as Associate Editor at ClutchPoints, with additional bylines at Idolator, Trend Chaser and Buzznet. Burtland is based between California and New York. Instagram: @showmi_more Learn more about Burtland Dixon