Lakers Fall to Pistons in a Game Marked by Physicality and Offense
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a resounding defeat against the Detroit Pistons, with a final score of 128-106. Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged that the refereeing affected his team’s performance.Before the game, Redick had anticipated the Pistons’ strategy, who forced 21 turnovers that resulted in 30 points. Detroit was penalized with 26 fouls, allowing the Lakers to shoot 31 free throws. For their part, the Lakers committed 24 fouls, and the Pistons had 29 free throws. Luka Doncic, who had eight turnovers, the worst record on the team, emphasized the need for the Lakers to increase their aggressiveness due to the refereeing.I think there’s a level of frustration when you lose the ball and feel like you’re being fouled. There’s frustration, for sure. But, as I said, we said it this morning: they’re going to foul on every possession. You just have to play through it.
JJ Redick
The Pistons’ intensity was felt on the Los Angeles court. Marcus Smart took a hit to the face and was assessed a technical foul for protesting. Jake LaRavia also suffered an elbow, which was initially considered a common foul but was later reclassified as a Flagrant 1. In the third quarter, Doncic was assessed a technical foul for an apparent contact with Ronald Holland II. In the final quarter, with the Pistons’ advantage already secured, Smart rose from the bench to protest what he considered incorrect referee decisions. The loss left the Lakers with a 20-11 record, with the 11 losses by double digits, and six of them by 20 or more points. LeBron James, who scored 17 points, did not want to comment on the refereeing, but did talk about the general situation of the Lakers, who closed out 2025 with their fourth loss in five games.We definitely have to match their physicality. That’s the point. We have to match their game. They saw that the referees allowed it, so we should play with physicality, for sure.
Luka Doncic
But even so, there is no excuse. We still have to go out and execute… The better team won tonight.We haven’t had a full team all year. We have some very important players out right now. And obviously I started the year out. And having our All-Star, guard [[Austin Reaves]] out, and Rui [[Hachimura]] is now out. And Gabe [[Vincent]] has been out for a minute. Jaxson [[Hayes]] just returned. There’s been a lot of rotation. So it’s very difficult to have a rhythm of chemistry on the court with players you know you’re going to play with every night…
LeBron James
