The Los Angeles Lakers are in total control of their round-one series against the Houston Rockets. Considering the circumstances the Lakers are dealing with (no Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves), it’s gaining JJ Redick new levels of credit.
As for Ime Udoka, on the other side, many feel he might be getting exposed. After Game 2, the former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins put it simply: Udoka is getting out-coached.
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 27: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
“We got to give a lot of flowers to JJ Redick because he deserves every bit of it,” Perkins said on ESPN.
“When you talk about putting together a game plan, you talk about empowering the role players and others to elevate their game, Jaxson Hayes played the best game that I’ve seen him play in a long time. …. When you think about what JJ Redick is putting together, he’s out-coaching Ime Udoka. He’s maximizing out his guys, his rotations are on point. And that’s what we’re seeing the difference with the two.”
The Lakers Protect The Court In LA
GettyLos Angeles, CA – April 10: Lakers head coach JJ Redick, left, coaches Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr., #20 against the Suns at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Friday, April 10, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Lakers were the higher seed holding home court, but many expected the Luka-Reaves absence to be too much for the Lakers to handle.
Instead, the Rockets are getting dominated on both ends of the floor. The Lakers are playing defense on an entirely different level compared to the regular season.
The supporting cast–guys like Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes, and Deandre Ayton–are all excelling in their roles. Meanwhile, the 41-year-old LeBron James is still able to do a little bit of everything at a high level.
On To Houston, Texas
GettyDENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets walks off the court during halftime against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on December 15, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Rockets get to return to their home court in Houston, Texas for the next two games.
The hope for Houston is that Kevin Durant feels good enough to play again and makes the proper adjustments to have a better outing.
While Durant started hot in his first Rockets playoff game in Game 2, the star forward struggled in the second half. He scored just three points in the final two quarters and turned the ball over nine times throughout the game.
Pressure is building for Houston, and Ime Udoka’s name is becoming more and more popular for all of the wrong reasons. Perkins is just the latest to raise the stakes for the third-year Rockets coach.