The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a demoralizing 127-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns, with a video from the fourth quarter capturing their nonchalant approach while trailing by 23 points. This sequence has fueled criticism, as it underscored the Lakers’ lack of urgency and focus when they needed to mount a comeback.
This Lakers sequence was so hard to watch 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/eZuvDcqtMY
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 27, 2024
The video begins at the start of the fourth quarter with the Lakers down 101-78. D’Angelo Russell got an open look but missed his shot. Dalton Knecht hustled for the rebound and found LeBron James, who then took a deep, contested three-pointer early in the shot clock. The shot bricked, and the Suns secured the rebound.
On the ensuing possession, the Suns missed a three-pointer of their own, courtesy of Grayson Allen. Gabe Vincent collected the rebound and passed it back to LeBron, who casually walked up the court and hoisted another ill-advised three with plenty of time left on the shot clock. The result? Another miss.
The Suns returned down the court, where Bradley Beal missed a decent three-point attempt. The Lakers regained possession and tried to get back into the game. Russell drove to the basket but missed a layup in traffic. On the next Suns’ possession, Beal finally got a wide-open three but missed again, gifting the Lakers yet another chance to cut into the lead.
Instead of crafting a meaningful offensive play, the Lakers ended up with Gabe Vincent, one of their poorest three-point shooters, taking a highly contested three-pointer that airballed. The sequence epitomized their lack of discipline and strategic coherence.
This stretch encapsulated the Lakers’ issues, both in execution and mentality. Rather than working for high-percentage shots or leveraging their size, they settled for quick, ill-conceived attempts from beyond the arc. This not only failed to cut into the deficit but also sent a clear message: the Lakers were not seriously competing at that moment.
LeBron James, the team’s leader, appeared disengaged, attempting low-percentage shots without setting up plays. This lack of leadership on the court mirrored the overall lackadaisical approach of the team, which has now lost three consecutive games.
Meanwhile, the Suns, bolstered by the return of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, played with focus and intensity. Their Big Three—Devin Booker, Durant, and Beal—all scored over 20 points, with Booker adding 10 assists. The Suns’ defense held firm, limiting the Lakers to just 23.5% from three-point range, and their offense capitalized on nearly every Lakers misstep.
The video has sparked outrage among Lakers fans, who criticized the team’s apparent lack of effort and pride. Analysts like Kendrick Perkins and Skip Bayless echoed these sentiments, pointing to the Lakers’ inability to show urgency and cohesion in high-stakes moments.
The Lakers, now 10-7, face mounting pressure to address these glaring issues. Head coach JJ Redick has called for defensive and offensive adjustments, but the team’s body language and effort suggest deeper concerns. With another game against the San Antonio Spurs on the horizon, the Lakers must regroup quickly or risk further setbacks in their playoff aspirations.
This video serves as a stark reminder that talent alone won’t win games—it takes effort, strategy, and focus, all of which were glaringly absent in this sequence.
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