Redick Dismisses Viral Clip with Doncic as 'Normal' Coach-Player Exchange

Lakers head coach JJ Redick says he and Luka Doncic have a 'great relationship' despite the recent on-bench interaction going viral.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 2:56am

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In the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers' recent win over the Golden State Warriors, a clip emerged showing a tense exchange between head coach JJ Redick and Lakers star Luka Doncic on the bench. However, Redick has since dismissed the incident, explaining that such interactions between coaches and players are common and that he and Doncic have a strong relationship that is only growing stronger.

Why it matters

The Lakers are a high-profile team, and any perceived tension between the coach and a star player can quickly become a major story. Redick's comments help provide context and clarity around the situation, showing that it was an isolated incident that is not indicative of any larger issues within the team.

The details

Redick said he and Doncic 'have a great relationship' and that the exchange was 'very normal' coach-player interaction that happens frequently during the course of a season. He explained that as a player-led team, he encourages players to communicate with him and the coaching staff, and that sometimes those conversations can get heated in the moment but are quickly resolved.

  • The incident occurred during the Lakers' 129-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 4, 2026.
  • Redick addressed the situation prior to the Lakers' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 7, 2026.

The players

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has a strong relationship with star player Luka Doncic.

Luka Doncic

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, who has a close working relationship with head coach JJ Redick.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't think much of it at the time. To be honest with you I don't think Luka did either. He and I have a great relationship. I think those things happen, not every game, but they happen very frequently.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

“I talk about player-led teams all the time. I encourage guys talking to me or talking to our coaches and brining stuff up and telling us what they need. I don't know why it went viral. It felt very normal to me.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

What’s next

The Lakers have 22 games remaining in the regular season and are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, just two games behind the Houston Rockets for the third seed. As the playoff race heats up, Redick and the Lakers will continue to be under intense scrutiny, but they appear to have a strong working relationship that can withstand the outside noise.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the heightened attention and scrutiny that comes with coaching a high-profile team like the Lakers, where even routine coach-player interactions can quickly go viral. However, Redick's comments demonstrate the importance of providing context and clarity around such situations, showing that a strong relationship and open communication between a coach and star player can help weather the storm of outside criticism.