The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 123-115 on Monday night, and center Deandre Ayton provided some insight into how head coach JJ Redick ’s intensity has helped guide the team through early-season injuries.

“JJ’s not giving a crap who’s out there, you know, he wants to play Laker basketball,” Ayton told reporters after the win. “JJ has been in this game for a while, so I think anything he says, we can trust it. And he’s proven that point a few times.”

The Lakers were without Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. Despite these absences and the fact that they trailed by as many as nine points in the third quarter, Los Angeles rallied to secure their fourth straight victory.

Ayton and forward Rui Hachimura combined for 57 points, and gua

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