Overview
- Jarred Vanderbilt, who addressed the sideline dispute Friday after a 101-73 win over the Suns, said he and coach JJ Redick talked it out and moved on while stressing team unity.
- Redick said he met Vanderbilt at the Lakers facility and later met with Rui Hachimura in San Francisco to clear the air after his public criticism earlier in the week.
- Vanderbilt returned to the rotation against Phoenix with 19 minutes, six points and seven rebounds as Los Angeles improved to 52-29 and locked a top-four seed with first-round home court.
- The flare-up traced back to Tuesday’s 123-87 loss to the Thunder when Redick pulled Vanderbilt 16 seconds into the second quarter, then called out multiple players and drew backlash.
- With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured, reporting points to a larger playoff role for Vanderbilt, whose defense and rebounding could carry added weight.