Byron Scott on Julius Randle: He’s got to grow up

Lakers head coach Byron Scott commented on Julius Randle’s actions after being taken out late during Sunday’s 97–77 win against the Phoenix Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott commented on Julius Randle’s actions after being taken out late during Sunday’s 97–77 win against the Phoenix Suns, calling the power forward’s reactions “immature.”

“Bottom line is, like I told him before, you’ve gotta grow up,” Scott told reporters on Monday. “The main thing I don’t like is when you take him out of games, how he reacts sometimes.”

Randle, 21, was the seventh pick in the 2014 NBA draft. In 34 appearances this season for the Lakers, Randle is averaging 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds in 26.6 minutes per game. He played only 16 minutes against the Suns, recording two points, three assists and 12 rebounds before exiting the game with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter.

• Byron Scott: Lakers are mentally fried

“I don’t think there was defense on the court at all in the fourth quarter, and he (Scott) singled me out,” Randle said Monday after practice. “I think it was a team thing.”

On Monday, Randle told reporters he was simply frustrated with his lack of minutes in Sunday’s game.

The Lakers have won three straight games and face the Golden State Warriors at home on Tuesday night. Los Angeles’ eight wins this season are second-worst in the NBA, better than only the Philadelphia 76ers.