Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he and star player Luka Doncic have a “great relationship” despite a heated exchange between the pair that went viral.
The Lakers were on a three-game losing streak going into Saturday’s game at the Golden State Warriors but were leading comfortably when Doncic was replaced late in the first quarter.
The Slovenian, 27, tried to avoid a fist bump from Redick as he walked to his seat on the bench, and the Lakers coach then followed Doncic down the sideline.
The pair exchanged words as Doncic took his seat before Redick turned to walk back towards half court.
As he did, Doncic got back to his feet and said more towards Redick while his team-mate Jarred Vanderbilt stood up, ostensibly to clap encouragement for the Lakers but also putting a barrier in front of Doncic, who sat back down moments later.
Speaking before Tuesday’s 110-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Redick said: “I don’t know why it went viral. It felt very normal to me.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time, to be honest with you. I don’t think Luka did either.”
Doncic had claimed four points and three assists by that point, and returned on Saturday to finish with a game-high 26 points.
The six-time All-Star scored another game-high 27 points as the Lakers won a third straight game on Tuesday to stay sixth in the Western Conference standings.
“He and I have a great relationship,” Redick added. “I really value our relationship. And I think those things happen. Not every game, but they happen very frequently.
“It’s a competition. And there’s two guys here who, in this case, are trying to win a basketball game and be on the same page about stuff.”
The Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Chicago Bulls 116-108 on Tuesday while second-placed San Antonio Spurs thumped the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91.
The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers, for whom Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points and new signing James Harden added 18, while the third-placed New York Knicks took advantage with a 111-95 win at the Toronto Raptors.
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