The day-to-day grind that NBA players and coaches experience demands relentless focus, endurance, and preparation. While the travel schedule makes it difficult for rookies to establish a healthy, consistent routine, veteran players and coaches still face similar situations.
Former player and current Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently opened up about his struggles with the schedule early in the 2025-26 campaign.
What Is JJ Redick Experiencing as the Los Angeles Lakers’ Head Coach?
After the Lakers’ 118-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 5, Redick expressed frustration with the league’s schedulers in his postgame press conference.
“I wake up at 6:30 every morning… and it was like a bus had hit me. The cumulative effect of three to four nights getting into a city at 3:30 a.m., thank you schedulers for that, the effect of that has a toll on the body,” said Redick.
“I wake up at 6:30 every morning… and it was like a bus had hit me. The cumulative effect of three to four nights getting into a city at 3:30am, thank you schedulers for that, the effect of that has a toll on the body.”
JJ Redick to reporters after the Lakers’ win last night… pic.twitter.com/JfCmSiVupD
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 6, 2025
The second-year head coach thought his team “came out flat” against the Spurs, much like how he felt when he woke up to start his day. However, the Lakers responded in the final frame, outscoring San Antonio 30-20 to escape with a win.
The game against the Spurs marked the fourth straight alternating home and road contest for the Lakers. They flew to Memphis, returned home, traveled to Portland, and then headed back to face San Antonio. In total, the team played four games over six days, including a back-to-back in games two and three.
Los Angeles has already played two sets of back-to-back travel games in the first nine games of the season. The Lakers begin their most extended road trip of the season on Saturday, Nov. 8, when they face the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. They return to Los Angeles 10 days later to face the Utah Jazz.
How Are the Lakers Thriving, Despite Injuries and Travel?
Despite the demanding schedule, Los Angeles sits second in the Western Conference with a 7-2 record. It carries a five-game win streak into its next game. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves missed two games, while Deandre Ayton missed one game during this stretch. Still, Redick is rallying his squad, despite the injuries.
Perhaps the Lakers’ most impressive victory came against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 3. They scored 123 points without Dončić and Reaves. Nick Smith Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Ayton led the squad with 25, 28, and 29 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has yet to play this season due to sciatica, but his return is near. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers cleared the future Hall of Famer for “contact basketball activities and will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks.”
With the team performing so well under challenging circumstances, Redick has put himself in early conversations for Coach of the Year, and the Lakers look poised for a successful season.