Lakers Use Rare Practice Day to Fine-Tune Ahead of Final 8-Game Stretch

The Lakers took advantage of a short break to reset and prepare for the final push to the playoffs.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Lakers basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of purple, gold, and white.The Lakers' practice session showcases the team's focus on building chemistry and fine-tuning their game ahead of the final playoff push.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Lakers held a rare practice session on Sunday, using the time to fine-tune adjustments and get players like Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes, and Deandre Ayton on the same page ahead of the final eight games of the regular season. Head coach JJ Redick said the break was as much mental and emotional as physical, with the team eager to get in an early morning practice despite the time off. The Lakers have won 9 of their last 10 games and 14 of their previous 16, and are looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs, even with the recent absence of key defender Marcus Smart.

Why it matters

The Lakers are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, sitting at 48-26 on the season. With just eight games left, they're looking to solidify their spot and build chemistry ahead of the postseason. The team's recent hot streak has them feeling confident, but they know they need to shore up their defense to make a deep playoff run.

The details

During Sunday's practice, the Lakers players had some fun by switching jerseys with their teammates, with Reaves, Hayes, and Ayton all donning different numbers. The big men joked about their dunking abilities, with Hayes claiming Reaves has posterized both of them. Head coach Redick said the team was able to get a lot done in the short practice, including film review and cleaning up some areas that need improvement, particularly on the defensive end where they've slipped a bit in recent games.

  • The Lakers haven't had two days off since the All-Star break and have played six of their last seven games on the road.
  • The Lakers have a back-to-back set against the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

The players

Austin Reaves

A Lakers guard who has stepped up in recent games.

Jaxson Hayes

A Lakers center who has been part of the team's recent success.

Deandre Ayton

A Lakers center who has been playing alongside Hayes.

JJ Redick

The Lakers head coach who oversaw the team's practice session.

Marcus Smart

The Lakers' defensive leader who has missed the last three games.

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What they’re saying

“We ain't a rap group. We're a dance group.”

— Deandre Ayton, Lakers center

“(Austin's) dunked on both of us; I'm dead serious.”

— Jaxson Hayes, Lakers center

“Obviously when you're missing one of your best defenders, one of the leaders on that side of the floor, you're not going to be as good. It's going to take a little time. But hopefully we get him back soon and continue to build what we've been building.”

— Austin Reaves, Lakers guard

“All of us have had time to grow and play with each other. (To) be able to hoop with each other for the past few months. So it's been able to build the chemistry.”

— Jaxson Hayes, Lakers center

What’s next

The Lakers will look to carry the momentum from their recent practice into a back-to-back set against the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers this week.

The takeaway

The Lakers' recent practice session highlights their focus on fine-tuning and building chemistry ahead of the final stretch run and playoffs. Despite some defensive lapses, their strong offensive play and overall team cohesion have them well-positioned to make a deep postseason run.