During the first half of a game versus the Phoenix Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Centre on December 14, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, we see JJ Redick watching.

After the Los Angeles Lakers got crushed by the Phoenix Suns 132-108 on Tuesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn't pull any punches. It was one of their worst defensive showings this season—and that’s saying something considering they’ve allowed an average of 121.6 points in their last 10 games. The Lakers let the Suns shoot 59% from the field, giving up 62 points in the paint.

“They scored on their first 13 possessions of the second half,” Redick complained. “They had about a 140 offensive rating when they touched the paint, and they touched the paint every single time, and we couldn’t stop them from getting in there.”

Redick mentioned his staff tried different defensive schemes, but nothing seemed to stop the Suns, whose starting players shot 65% from the field. Even Jamaree Bouyea, a nobody G-Leaguer, scored on 7 of 10 shots off the bench.

“We tried zone, and they got a layup and an open three,” Redick commented. “We didn’t get the ball iced in pick and roll. On the second play in the zone, they went to the middle, we didn’t go under, and they scored a layup. If you’re not doing what we’re trying to do to protect and keep the ball on the side, you're going to get taken advantage of.”

JJ Redick: “You can take shortcuts, or you can do the hard thing and put in the extra effort. You can sprint back, or you can't. It all boils down to choice.”

Lakers Stuck in Mud

The coach, in his second year, pointed out that the Lakers’ defence has been weak against young teams with guards who can drive. Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, the San Antonio Spurs’ guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, and the Utah Jazz’s Keyonte George have all done well against the Lakers recently, which led to the Suns' big night on Tuesday.

“…The problem with our team is that we just can’t move with these young, fast teams. We’re like we’re stuck in mud,” Redick lamented.

“Zone didn’t work; we switched everything one through five in the second half, but that didn’t work either. At that point, you're out of ideas.”

“Again, the problem with our team is that we just can’t keep up with these young, fast teams. It’s like we’re stuck in mud.”

JJ Redick on how hard it is to defend younger teams

Is the Lakers' Defence Beyond Fixing?

Following the loss, the Lakers’ defensive rating slipped back to No. 24. The six teams below them are probably heading for the lottery, with records under .350. That’s not a good sign for a Lakers team that wants to win an NBA title instead of getting a high lottery pick.

Tuesday was also the Lakers’ first two-game losing streak this season, after the LA Clippers crushed JJ Redick’s team last Saturday. Though they're in a slump, Redick sounded hopeful about a turnaround because of recent injuries to his players.

“The guys have been great at bouncing back from tough situations, like injuries, losses, or bad games,” Redick said about his team.

“We still have a lot of games left, so we need to keep it up and stay together. After these two games, things aren’t going to feel good. We will be thinking about how the team played.

“I told everyone to switch off tomorrow, spend time with their families, and enjoy the holiday. We’ll all come back on Christmas ready to go.”

The Lakers (19-9) next play the Houston Rockets (17-10) at home on Christmas Day. It'll be the first time these Western Conference rivals have met this year. On a positive note, Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura might be back from injuries.

Justin Hood, ranked 86th worldwide, shocked everyone by beating Danny Noppert, the sixth seed, at the PDC World Championship! After easily winning his first match against Nick Kenny last week, Hood kept up the good work against Noppert.

The 32-year-old, playing in his first championship, quickly took a 2-0 lead at Alexandra Palace, averaging over 102 in both sets, hitting over half of his doubles, and scoring three 180s. Noppert fought back to tie the game, but Hood stayed calm and won.

Hood won with a 78 finish, setting up a third-round match against Ryan Meikle after Christmas. Luke Littler, who won his match against David Davies, praised Hood, saying, What a man! with some emojis.

Hood averaged 103.01, hit 11 180s, and hit about 43% of his doubles throughout the game.

Hood said about his win: It was a good game. I knew it would be because Danny is a great player. I just throw my darts without worrying. If it's good, it's good. Tonight, it was.

Noppert is the 17th seed to lose before Christmas. Before him, Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright lost. Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, and Josh Rock made sure no one else lost that evening.

Littler will play Mensur Suljovic on Saturday night.

Suljovic, ranked 60th, was accused of cheating after his win against Joe Cullen. Cullen was mad about Suljovic's behavior on stage.

Cullen said on social media, “The old guard will say it’s part of the game, but word it how you will—it’s CHEATING!” That’s not darts!

Suljovic responded, I never do this to provoke anyone. I do it for my game. Sorry Joe, I never do this—love you, man.

Littler, after his win against Davies, said about Cullen's comments, No, it’s not cheating. That’s just how he plays. I watched the match a bit. Joe felt like he slowed it down. It’s not cheating. We all know he flicks his flight a few times before he throws. He’s doing it until he feels settled.

The World Championship will continue after a three-day break after Christmas, with Wesley Plaisier playing Krzysztof Ratajski on Saturday afternoon.