JJ Redick Drops Surprising Praise for Lakers’ Hidden Gem After Electrifying Game vs. Trail Blazers

Ever wonder what it takes to steal the spotlight when the big guns are sidelined? Monday night’s Lakers vs. Trail Blazers game handed us that exact story — minus Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, many figured the Blazers had a walk in the park. But then, Nick Smith Jr. came out firing like a man possessed, lighting up the scoreboard with 25 points, including a near-perfect night from downtown. Now, here’s a player who wasn’t just hustling through the motions — nope, he was battling sickness so fierce he spent halftime hugging the tunnel’s porcelain throne. Yet, Smith’s grit and poise left head coach JJ Redick gushing, calling him “really gutsy, really tough mentally.” This wasn’t just another off-the-cuff breakout; it was a declaration from a young guy usually flying under the radar, daring us all to rethink what “next man up” truly means in the NBA grind. So if you’re asking, could this be the spark that redefines Smith’s place on this chaotic Lakers roster? I’m thinking, oh, most definitely.

Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers — (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers were without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James on Monday night, so most people assumed the Portland Trail Blazers were poised for an easy victory.

But that wasn’t the case, partly because one up-and-coming Lakers player had a night to remember.

Nick Smith Jr. was sensational during the game, producing 25 points on 10-of-15 from the floor and shooting 5-of-6 from downtown.

Following LA’s 123-115 victory over the Blazers, head coach JJ Redick had nothing but great things to say about Smith.

“He was awesome. Really gutsy, really tough mentally,” Redick said of Smith.

Nick Smith Jr. (25 points, dagger 3’s late) was sick tonight, and threw up in the tunnel at halftime, but told us on @SpectrumSN that he wasn’t missing this one, that the team clearly needed him.

JJ Redick: “He was awesome. Really gutsy, really tough mentally.”

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 4, 2025

Making Smith’s performance even more impressive was the fact that he was severely under the weather during the game, and actually spent halftime throwing up in the locker room tunnel.

But that didn’t hold him back at all, and Lakers fans took notice of his grit and consistency during a game that many people had written off.

Smith embodied the “next man up” mentality and saw the losses of Doncic, Reaves, and James as an opportunity to show his team what he was capable of.

This was his second game of the season, and Smith currently has an average of 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.

He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers right before training camp after being waived by the Charlotte Hornets.

Most people didn’t expect a huge season from Smith, and it’s not clear how much they will see him moving forward.

As great as he was, he only got so many minutes because of how empty the roster was.

Still, a showing like this is going to leave an impact, and it will likely give him more chances, especially at the end of games or in blowout matches.

If he can have a few more performances that even come close to this one, Smith might be spending a lot more time on the floor, even when Doncic, Reaves, and James are healthy.

The post JJ Redick Raves About Unsung Lakers Player Against Trail Blazers appeared first on The Cold Wire.