The Los Angeles Lakers' 2026 playoff run came to a swift and decisive end, as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept them out of the first round. While the sweep stings, Lakers head coach JJ Redick isn't hitting the panic button—he sees a championship window that's far from closed.

The series was closer than the 4-0 scoreline suggests, with the Lakers pushing the defending champions to the brink in multiple games. Redick faced scrutiny after a controversial decision to bench sharpshooter Rui Hachimura during a crucial moment in Game 4, but he remains focused on the bigger picture.

"That's what we gotta figure out this offseason," Redick said after the Game 4 loss. "For the things we set out to do—build championship habits, communication, and shape—I thought we were darn close to doing that. I take a lot of pride in our players. What they individually went through, what we went through, and what we turned out to be. I'm just proud of who we are."

It's hard to argue with the talent on the other side. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Ajay Mitchell all played at an elite level, reminding everyone why OKC is the team to beat. The Lakers, meanwhile, were without Luka Dončić due to injury—a factor that could have changed everything.

For a team that's been searching for its next championship identity, Redick's optimism might feel premature to some fans, especially after the Hachimura misstep. But with a full offseason ahead and a roster that showed real fight, the Lakers believe they're closer than the scoreboard suggests. Whether that translates into title contention remains to be seen, but for now, the message from the locker room is clear: this isn't the end, it's just the beginning.