The Los Angeles Lakers’ worst fears were realized during Sunday’s disheartening 134-128 road loss to the lottery-bound Dallas Mavericks.
Playing in its first contest since Luka Dončić’s and Austin Reaves’ season-ending injuries, the LeBron James-led squad was unable to keep pace from the jump. This came despite receiving an unlikely performance from sharpshooter Luke Kennard, fueling widespread concern.
Lakers Thoroughly Outplayed by Reeling Mavericks Without Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves
The Lakers had a standout March, going 15-2 and appearing primed to make noise in the playoffs.
Unfortunately for the aspiring Western Conference contender, it began April by losing two of its top three players, Dončić and Reaves, to a left hamstring strain and a left oblique strain, respectively.
The setbacks were suffered during Thursday’s season-worst 139-96 road blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting immense pressure on the 41-year-old James to carry a heavier workload offensively over LA’s final five outings.
While the 22-time All-Star scored 22 of his team-best 30 points in the first half against the Mavericks, his strong showing ultimately wasn’t enough. His squad fell behind by as many as 22 points in the second quarter against a Dallas team that entered Sunday looking to snap a 14-game home losing streak, its longest in 32 years.
James and Co. allowed Mavericks phenom Cooper Flagg to have his way, tallying a game-high 45 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. With the eruption, he became the first rookie with back-to-back 40-point games since Philadelphia 76ers icon Allen Iverson (1996-97 campaign).
LA was unable to come back and take the lead despite Kennard’s first career triple-double (15 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists), as it couldn’t replicate Dončić and Reaves’ backcourt scoring punch. The Lakers pulled within two points in the third quarter, but never got over the hump.
The disappointing result prompted strong reactions on X, with many questioning the Purple and Gold’s viability as the postseason rapidly approaches.
“The Los Angeles Lakers match their March loss total in two games this month in April. … one week of rehearsal left,” The Athletic’s Law Murray pointed out.
“First game without Luka and Reaves, and we getting dog walked by the 24-53 Mavs. Who has it worse than Laker fans?” Lakers fan page LakeShowYo questioned amid LA’s struggles, later adding that the team squandered a “vintage LeBron performance.”
“Cooper Flagg out here giving the Lakers the finest quality of leather belt 😂😂,” satirical outlet Hater Report quipped.
“No. 1 option LeBron put up 30 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists tonight…still wasn’t enough to beat the Mavericks,” Legion Hoops reacted.
The Lakers (50-28) are now tied with the Denver Nuggets (50-28) for the West’s third seed with four contests remaining, though they hold the tiebreaker.
The shorthanded squad can finish no lower than fifth in the conference by season’s end. Still, with limited offensive firepower, its playoff outlook appears murky regardless of seeding.
LA will look to end its two-game slide during Tuesday’s home rematch against the league-best Thunder (62-16).
