Overview
- The Lakers were routed 123-87 by the Thunder on Tuesday, their second blowout against Oklahoma City in five days with several starters sidelined.
- After Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves were ruled out for the rest of the regular season, coach JJ Redick said he will use the final three games to lock in a nine-man playoff rotation.
- Frustration spilled over Tuesday as Redick benched Rui Hachimura early for a missed assignment and sat Jarred Vanderbilt after a heated on-court exchange.
- Redick defended letting Dončić and Reaves play earlier in the loss to Oklahoma City, saying both were cleared by medical staff and pushed to stay on the floor.
- The New York Post reports seven rotation spots are set around LeBron James, with the last two likely decided between Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber, while two-way players would need standard deals to be playoff eligible.