JJ Redick’s ‘rookie mistake’ playing 40-year-old LeBron James that many minutes criticized by Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley watched how JJ Redick's Los Angeles Lakers struggled to close out Game 4 despite leading by 10 points when starting the 4th qtr.

JJ Redick’s ‘rookie mistake’ playing 40-year-old LeBron James that many minutes criticized by Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley calls out JJ Redick for playing LeBron James entire second half

The Los Angeles Lakers had to win Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves to head back home on level terms. JJ Redick had to find a way to get LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the rest of the teammates to fight until the end.

Doncic did his part and scored a team-high 38 points. It seemed he had recovered well from the stomach ailment that troubled him in Game 3. That scoring blitz saw the Lakers go toe-to-toe with the Timberwolves and were on the verge of winning.

But with 35 seconds left, LeBron James turned the ball over. On the same possession, he then fouled Anthony Edwards, which meant the Wolves now had two free throws to cement the win. Ant Man converted one, which was enough to help them win the game.

During those last few minutes, it dawned upon commentators, fans, and analysts that the Lakers’ starters had been playing the entire second half. Knowing how fatigue can impact late-game decisions, Charles Barkley said this.

LeBron’s 40. Luka he has to do a lot. You can’t play a 40-year-old man… not in Game 4. You can’t say you planned it. You’ve got to get guys a rest. The physical fatigue, the mental fatigue. Them turnovers, that’s fatigue.

Charles Barkley said

The Hall of Famer might have a point. LeBron James did not score a point in the fourth quarter after scoring 27 in the first three. Then those turnovers cost the Lakers the game. Barkley believes this was a mistake from JJ Redick, as no one should play the entire second half of a game with three more to go in the series.

JJ Redick’s former colleague calls it a ‘rookie mistake’

Everyone watching this game saw how the game was there for the Los Angeles Lakers to win. But those late-game turnovers from LeBron James and Luka Doncic’s misses cost them. Kendrick Perkins, who has worked with JJ Redick at ESPN, wrote this on X.

Rookie Mistake by JJ!!! Bron and Luka were dead tired… you’ve have to find time to get them some rest. Especially a 40 year old Lebron James who’s in his 100th season.

Kendrick Perkins wrote

Perkins’ words seemingly reverberate what Charles Barkley said. This happens to be one of those rare times when the two agree, especially considering their past. However, they said it at different times, which means they saw how the fatigue made it difficult for LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Perkins believes any amount of rest might have helped them avoid those mistakes. Had that happened, the Lakers could have won the game and returned home with the chance to regroup. Instead of that, they have dug a 1-3 hole. Expending that much energy with three games remaining might have ended their season.

LeBron James and Luka Doncic need to recover their energy to save Lakers’ season

Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be on April 30th at Crypto.com Arena. That means, LeBron James, Luka Doncic and their teammates have one or max two days to recover their energy.

They expended a lot of it in Game 3, but they cannot sit thinking about fatigue if they want to continue fighting for the NBA title. They have to win the next three games to ensure they get to round 2. But that is easier said than done.

They will need to repeat their performances from the first three quarters of Game 4. Then JJ Redick will need to mix up some rotational minutes to help his starters get some rest. In game rest is essential if they are to turn this series around.

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