Ahead of Lakers-Thunder series, Mark Daigneault shows JJ Redick respect

Nov 12, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

From shouting out Mark Daigneault on YouTube to being on the opposite sideline, JJ Redick has come a long way in just a handful of years. The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in a Round 2 series in the 2026 NBA playoffs.

Both NBA head coaches had unconventional upbringings. Daigneault spent years discovering his voice as a head coach in the G League. Meanwhile, Redick took the ESPN media personality route first before diving into the highly prestigious job with zero coaching experience.

Now, the Thunder and Lakers will square off as two of the final eight teams. The Thunder enter the Round 2 series as the heavy favorite. The reigning NBA champions have sat atop the throne all year and look primed to go back-to-back. They completed another ho-hum Round 1 sweep over the Phoenix Suns.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are playing with house money — in a sense. They beat the Houston Rockets in their Round 1 matchup in six games. All without Luka Doncic, who remains out with a hamstring strain. enters as the underdog and with zero stress to win this one-sided matchup.