Luke Kennard and the Los Angeles Lakers were stunned 110-109 by the Orlando Magic at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The stinging one-point loss came after the side failed to regroup in the final seconds and make the shot.
The defeat saw them slip to sixth place with a 34-24 record. It was the Lakers’ second consecutive loss in as many games after getting blown away by the Boston Celtics. However, the team’s latest acquisition was optimistic about the bounce-back.
Luke Kennard Backs the Lakers to Roar Back to Form After Tough Loss to Magic
Speaking to the media after the game, sharpshooter Luke Kennard was asked about the team’s mindset following the loss. “I got full confidence in this group and who we have in this locker room. I fully believe in what we have,” he said.
In related news, head coach JJ Redick dished out a crisp response when asked about the loss. “We’re a work in progress,” he told reporters after the heartbreaking skirmish.
It has been woes on both ends of the floor for the Purple and Gold. They were stifled on offense by the Celtics, while the Magic breezed past their defense to stay in the hunt all through the contest.
Luke Kennard: “I got full confidence in this group and who we have in this locker room. I fully believe in what we have” pic.twitter.com/7m2jYeeu4G
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 25, 2026
Kennard finished with nine points, shooting 3-for-4 from the field. He didn’t attempt a three throughout the game and was 3-for-4 from the free throw line. The Lakers led the first quarter, but were outplayed by the Magic for the rest of the three, ultimately costing them a winnable contest.
Kennard has played 7 games for the Lakers. He averages 9.6 points, shooting 43.8% from the three-point line. He was the only move made by LA, with the side sending guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks.
On the season front, the Lakers are still in control of their own fate. With 24 games left in the season, they will need to finish on a solid note to make their case for a top-five seed in a stacked Western Conference.
While Kennard’s comments offer some hope, Redick’s thoughts raise concern as the side continues to believe they are title contenders. Should they lose more games over the next week, they are in danger of falling in the play-in zone.
The Lakers now hit the road to take on Pacific Division rivals, the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. They later return home to host another side from the same division in the Sacramento Kings.
