EL SEGUNDO — During the regular season, Lakers coach JJ Redick would often reference a meeting he had with LeBron James the morning of the team’s blowout loss to the Miami Heat on Dec. 4 as an inflection point.

The Lakers were in the midst of a 2-5 stretch, with the aforementioned loss to the Heat and an overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks two nights later putting them in what became one of their worst stretches of the season.

James was going through his own individual struggles on the court.

His 3-point shooting was inconsistent, evident by a stretch in which he missed 20 consecutive shots from behind the arc across six games.

James’ defensive presence was lacking, part of the reason for the Lakers having one of the league’s worst-performing defensive units in the league from mid-November through early-December.

His individual plus/minus of minus-125 was a team-worst mark during the Lakers’ 3-6 stretch from Nov. 19-Dec. 4, with the next-worst mark being Rui Hachimura’s minus-72.

Redick hasn’t revealed the specifics of what was said during the meeting in South Florida. Nor has James. But the conversation was a turning point for James’ season and his impact on the Lakers.

“Since that morning, just the way he’s played energy-wise, leadership-wise … it’s been, I’m not going to say it was bad to start the year,” Redick said on Dec. 25. “But it’s been awesome and it’s been different.”

Redick added: “Since then, his engagement and effort defensively have been insane for really anyone, but for a 40-year-old as well.”

James’ actions over the last couple of months, and his increased intensity on the defensive end of the court, have showcased his increased belief in this team’s ability to compete for a championship once the playoffs start.

His averages in the 47 games he played since returning to the floor in mid-December after sitting out two games that allowed him to rest for a week: 25.1 points, 7.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52.1% overall and 38.5% from 3-point range and also leading the Lakers defensively for significant stretches.

But his words, and the way he uttered them after Friday’s practice ahead of the team kicking off its best-of-seven first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, made it clear he believes this team can compete for a title.

“Yeah, of course,” James responded when asked whether the Lakers have the ingredients to be a championship team.

And James’ belief, which has risen to a different level since the acquisition of Luka Doncic in early February, is infectious for the rest of the team.

“The belief’s there, and you’re correct in your assessment that it’s evolved into where it’s at right now in this state,” Redick said Friday. “I think that LeBron’s confidence, belief in himself, in his teammates, when that’s there, it empowers the group even more. If the rest of the guys believe it, and LeBron believes it, that really strengthens that resolve and feeling.”

James’ teammates have felt a shift with the playoffs on the horizon.

“If anything, he just doubled down,” reserve guard Jordan Goodwin said. “I feel like he gets more locked in … could just tell the shift with his whole mental. He [gotten] even more vocal. He’s already a vocal guy, now he’s extra vocal for us. He’s locked in, he’s ready.”

At 40 years old and in his 22nd NBA season, James knows he doesn’t have many postseasons runs left ahead of him.

“It’s a blessing,” James said. “I don’t take it for granted to be able to play in the postseason at my age and how many years I’ve played in this game. To be one of 16 teams to go in with this team and know what we’re capable of, all you can do is ask for a chance to be able to compete at the highest level and be able to compete for the ultimate thing. And that’s the Larry O’Brien Trophy. You just don’t take it for granted.”

TIMBERWOLVES AT LAKERS

What: Western Conference playoffs, first round, Game 1

When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV/radio: ABC (Ch. 7)/710 AM

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