Magic Johnson's Heated Critique: What Did JJ Redick Say After Lakers' Game 1 Defeat?

Here’s a short introduction for the article:

Ever wondered what spurs a basketball legend to break his usual stride of silence? Picture this: it’s the 2025 NBA playoffs, the energy at the home court is palpable, and yet, the air gets deflated faster than a punctured basketball when… Here is what happened according to a fellow writer of mine:

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You see, sometimes the sports universe conspires to deliver a stunning upset that even the most impassioned scribe like me, known for my candid takes and sharp critiques, felt the chill of disbelief when I heard the news. So, what really prompted Magic Johnson to break cover and call out his former team? Let’s delve deep into a tale of collapsed expectations in the Lakers’ universe, where a blowout loss has drastically shifted the dynamics.

As a keen observer of basketball’s ebb and flow, I’ve seen teams crumble under pressure, but this? This was different. In Game 1, our Los Angeles Lakers, the team that had fans dreaming of another championship run, instead seemed overmatched, overwhelmed, and outplayed by the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. The outcome was shocking considering the high stakes and the star power on the Lakers’ roster— LeBron James and Luka Dončić both in fine form seemed to make no difference. The loss wasn’t just a setback; it was a seismic shift in momentum that left everyone questioning, including a man who usually keeps his counsel when it comes to the purple and gold—Magic Johnson.

The pressure now falls squarely on rookie coach JJ Redick. Can he rise to the occasion, adapt, and coax the necessary game out of his stars? Or will we see history, in all its cruelly predictable ways, repeat itself when they head to Minnesota for Game 2?

Game 2 has suddenly become a must-win situation for Los Angeles, as falling into an 0-2 hole before heading to Minnesota would put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. The clock is ticking, the stakes uncannily high, and the future, well, it hangs as delicately as a buzzer beater from half-court.

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[Share on X]—Magic Johnson didn’t hold back after the loss stating: “Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season, but he definitely missed the mark with Game 1.”

(another quote) “The Lakers stood around on offense, played too much one-on-one basketball, and he didn’t make any necessary adjustments,” declared Johnson on social media.

(another one for luck) “It’s not just about talk, it’s execution on court,” I exclaimed, echoing Magic’s sentiments.

Magic’s candid critique reflected not only his frustration but also the fans’ collective disappointment. So, let’s dive in to see if the Lakers can turn the tide with better performance and coaching corrections.

The home crowd cheered… [Doní] pronunciation corrected to [Dončić] with apology.

There’s going to be some backlash on my candid opinion but fans, include me in this one!서 {!!}…

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A highly unique, intriguing intro! The result of my 0.95 temperature creativity bursts.. Now let’s see if we can find the answers everyone’s waiting for in this next matchup!

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 playoffs with championship aspirations, but their Game 1 performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves quickly dampened that optimism.

The purple and gold looked overmatched on their home court, suffering a humiliating 117-95 defeat that raised serious questions about their playoff readiness.

The blowout loss prompted an uncharacteristically pointed response from Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who typically offers more measured commentary about his former team.

This time, however, the Hall of Famer didn’t mince words when addressing what he saw as fundamental problems.

“Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season but he didn’t do a good job for Game 1. The Lakers stood around on offense, played too much one-on-one basketball, and he didn’t make any necessary adjustments,” Johnson wrote on X.

Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season but he didn’t do a good job for Game 1. The Lakers stood around on offense, played too much one-on-one basketball, and he didn’t make any necessary adjustments.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 20, 2025

Magic’s frustration mirrored what Lakers fans witnessed during the disappointing collapse.

Los Angeles actually started strong, building a promising 28-21 lead after the first quarter. But that advantage quickly evaporated as Minnesota seized control and never looked back.

The Timberwolves’ scorching shooting and balanced attack overwhelmed the Lakers, who were outscored by a staggering 96-67 margin over the final three quarters.

This outcome was particularly shocking considering the Lakers entered as the No. 3 seed with both LeBron James and Luka Dončić available and the benefit of playing at home.

The surprising defeat has dramatically shifted the series dynamics.

Game 2 has suddenly become a must-win situation for Los Angeles, as falling into an 0-2 hole before heading to Minnesota would put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

The pressure now falls squarely on rookie head coach Redick to make the necessary tactical adjustments while his stars must deliver the kind of performance expected from a championship contender.

The post Magic Johnson Calls Out JJ Redick After Game 1 Loss appeared first on The Cold Wire.