The Los Angeles Lakers ended their regular season home schedule in emphatic fashion Friday night, dismantling the Houston Rockets 140-109 to lock in the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and secure home-court advantage for at least the opening round of the NBA playoffs.

But beyond the scoreboard, the night also marked a milestone for first-year head coach JJ Redick, who reached 50 wins in his debut season – an achievement few anticipated when he took the helm last summer.

Redick, hired in the offseason amid skepticism over his lack of coaching experience, has now guided a reshaped Lakers team to its most successful regular season since 2020.

With LeBron James and midseason acquisition Luka Doncic leading the charge, the Lakers are entering the postseason with momentum and belief. Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick reacts against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena.

Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images Despite the celebratory tone inside Crypto.com Arena, Redick was quick to temper expectations – channeling the competitive ethos of a Lakers icon.

“It’s not done,” Redick said postgame, invoking a mindset famously echoed by Kobe Bryant during the 2009 NBA Finals. “There’s still so much we have to do.”

Reporter: “How would you say your first season [as the Lakers coach] went?” JJ Redick: “It’s not done… There’s still so much work we have to do.” (via @SpectrumSN)pic.twitter.com/wFLzTsWW4b — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 12, 2025

The quote immediately drew a reaction across social media, with fans quick to draw parallels to Bryant’s legendary “job’s not finished” line: “My Head Coach has that Mamba Mentality,” one fan wrote.

“The infamous ‘job is not done’ line. Yeah, I love it and I see what time you’re on, JJ,” added another. “JJ Redick got in his Kobe bag,” a third chimed in.

The Lakers will wrap up their regular season Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers before turning their focus to what they hope is a long postseason run.