Lakers exit interviews point to big offseason questions after sweep by Thunder

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walks off the court for the final time this season after being eliminated from the NBA Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Monday May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. The Los Angeles Lakers’ season end showed how far they are from a championship contender, but their exit interviews reflected a team still proud of what it endured. After being swept by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, the Lakers spoke about resilience, injuries and the belief that the group never stopped competing despite constant adversity throughout the season.

Second-year head coach JJ Redick praised the fight his team showed, even while facing elimination. “I thought there were two different times during the game where our team could've gave in,” Redick said. “We didn't.

” Redick acknowledged the Lakers still have to determine whether their current roster is truly close enough to contend for a championship, but he emphasized the progress the team made during the season. “For the things that we set out to do — build our championship habits and build our championship communication and championship shape — I thought we were darn close to doing that,” Redick said. The emotional tone of Redick’s session stood out as he described how attached he became to the group.

“When the season ends, that organism is dead and that organism will never live again,” Redick said. For LeBron James, the season represented another adjustment. James described the Lakers as “super resilient” in year 23, especially after injuries to key players throughout the year, including Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves late in the season.