The Los Angeles Lakers’ record suggests they are playing strong basketball. They sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 20-11 record. However, after their blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 30, concerning statistics reveal the team must address critical issues over the remainder of the campaign.
Los Angeles Lakers Have Too Many Blowout Losses
The Pistons destroyed Los Angeles, 128-106, at Crypto.com Arena. The defeat marked the Lakers’ fourth loss in their last five games. Their only victory came against the 8-25 Sacramento Kings on Dec. 28. Their poor form extends even further to a 5-7 record over their last 12 games. However, the team has more pressing concerns than just this rough patch.
All 11 of the Lakers’ losses this season came in blowout fashion. They have not played a single game where they lost by less than 10 points.
Lakers margin of losing this season:
-10
-14
-20
-29
-17
-21
-13
-15
-24
-23
-22— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) December 31, 2025
As a result, their net rating for the season plummets, despite their solid record for the campaign. Los Angeles ranks 16th with a -0.6 net rating. Its 26th-ranked defensive rating compared to its eighth-ranked offensive rating creates a concerning combination. However, over this poor stretch, the offense has sputtered. The Lakers failed to score over 108 points in four of their last five contests.
Los Angeles also has the third-most 20-point losses in the league, which ties them with the 6-27 Indiana Pacers. Only the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Kings suffered more. Four of these squads are headed right for the lottery in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Lakers, however, have championship aspirations and must find their groove again quickly in a tough Western Conference.
Head coach JJ Redick had a stern message for his squad after the Houston Rockets beat the Lakers on Christmas Day. “I told the guys. Saturday’s practice is going to be uncomfortable. The meeting is going to be uncomfortable. I’m not doing another 53 games like this,” expressed Redick.
Lakers Must Take Advantage of Easier Schedule Without Austin Reaves
Los Angeles has a great opportunity to get back on track and regain its winning ways from earlier in the season. The Lakers only face one team over .500 in their next nine games. They battle the San Antonio Spurs on the road on Jan. 7, but they likely will enter the rest of these nine contests as heavy favorites.
Austin Reaves suffered a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain on Christmas Day. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Reaves will miss at least one month. The guard took a major step forward this season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia likely see extra opportunity over the next few weeks without Reaves.
