The holiday season is meant to be a time of celebration, but for the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2025 Christmas Day showcase was nothing short of a nightmare. Hosting the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers were expected to deliver a high energy performance in front of a national audience. Instead, fans were treated to a defensive collapse and a lack of urgency that resulted in a stinging 119-96 blowout. This loss marks the third consecutive defeat for Los Angeles, raising serious questions about the team’s defensive identity and overall mental toughness.

From the opening tip, the Rockets played with a level of intensity that the Lakers simply could not match. Houston led wire to wire, jumping out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter and never looking back. The Lakers' defense, which has plummeted to near the bottom of the league over the last ten games, was consistently picked apart by Houston’s young and athletic roster. Whether it was allowing easy transition baskets or failing to rotate on the perimeter, the Lakers looked step slow and disconnected.

A Masterclass in Houston’s Efficiency

The Rockets were led by a stellar performance from Amen Thompson, who finished with 26 points, while veteran Kevin Durant added 25 points and nine assists. Houston’s offensive efficiency was staggering, as they exploited every mismatch provided by the Lakers' porous defense. The Rockets dominated the glass, outrebounding Los Angeles 48-25. In fact, Houston center Alperen Sengun pulled down 12 rebounds on his own, matching the entire Lakers starting lineup's total.

For the Lakers, the star power of Luka Doncic and LeBron James was not enough to overcome the team's structural flaws. Doncic, returning from a leg injury, finished with 25 points but struggled with four turnovers in the first quarter alone. LeBron James added 18 points, but the duo combined for nine of the team’s 16 turnovers. The lack of secondary scoring and defensive stops made it impossible for the Lakers to mount any significant comeback, despite a brief second quarter surge that cut the lead to four.

JJ Redick Scathes Team Effort and Execution

Following the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance. During a fiery post game press conference, Redick emphasized that the issue was not just a lack of talent but a lack of "choice." He noted that when the team chooses to prioritize effort and execution, they are a championship caliber squad, but when they don’t, they are "a terrible basketball team."

Redick’s frustration was palpable as he discussed the defensive lapses that have plagued the team during this three game skid. He pointed out that the Rockets played with more "care" and "professionalism," suggesting that some players on the Lakers roster are not meeting the standard required for success. With a difficult practice scheduled for the coming days, it is clear that the coaching staff is looking to shake up the rotation and hold players accountable for the lackluster holiday showing.

Injury Woes Add to the Frustration

While effort was the main talking point, the Lakers are also dealing with a mounting list of injuries. Austin Reaves, who had scored 12 points in the first half, was forced to leave the game with a sore left calf and did not return. This injury further thinned a rotation already missing Gabe Vincent and Jaxson Hayes. While the returns of Doncic and Rui Hachimura were intended to stabilize the team, the lack of continuity and health continues to hinder their ability to build rhythm on the defensive end.

The third quarter proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Los Angeles. Houston opened the second half with a devastating 18-5 run that pushed the lead to 23 points. The Lakers' energy appeared to sap as the deficit grew, leading to a fourth quarter that felt more like a formality than a competitive contest. The disparity in physicality was evident in the free throw numbers and points in the paint, where Houston consistently beat the Lakers to the spot.

Looking Toward a Crucial Turning Point

The Lakers now sit at 19-10 (or 25-27 depending on the conference standings tracking) and find themselves sliding down the Western Conference rankings. What began as a promising season has hit a major roadblock in December. The defensive rating has plummeted to 24th in the league, a statistic that is unacceptable for a team with postseason aspirations.

As they prepare to host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Lakers face a crossroads. They must decide if they are willing to commit to the "uncomfortable" work required to fix their defensive schemes. If the lackluster effort seen on Christmas Day becomes a recurring theme, the front office may be forced to look at roster changes before the trade deadline. For now, the focus remains on internal accountability and rediscovering the grit that defined their early season success.