The Los Angeles Lakers faced another setback as they fell below .500, suffering a second consecutive blowout loss, this time against the Atlanta Hawks. After their defeat to the Houston Rockets, the Lakers faced the Hawks without star big man Anthony Davis, who was sidelined due to a groin injury.
This disappointing loss, combined with the recent blowout against the Houston Rockets, led frustrated fans to call out the Lakers, expressing skepticism that any trade could salvage the season.
One fan said that no amount of trades will save the Lakers’ season.
Lakers arenโt winning shit with this guy as our head coach sadly, Also no trade will save this season pic.twitter.com/6EqLpBqYMn
— ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ (@Hexiyyy) January 31, 2024
A second fan said that no amount of trades will make the Lakers champions.
No trade will make them champions
— Player Rizz NBA Magazine (@PlayerRizz) January 31, 2024
A third fan begged the Lakers to get LeBron James some help.
Get LeBron, some help
— ๐๐ ๐ (@BronWorld) January 31, 2024
A fourth fan said now the Lakers will never get back above .500.
For the final time… They're never getting back above .500.
— Ben (@TheHurricaneBen) January 31, 2024
A fifth added in saying there is no way the Lakers’ are making the playoffs.
hell no ๐ญ
— Juice (@juic3ify) January 31, 2024
A sixth fan added in saying they needed to make a trade ASAP.
they need to make a trade asap
— Juice (@juic3ify) January 31, 2024
Austin Reaves led the Lakers in scoring with 28 points and 6 assists, showcasing his offensive capabilities in the absence of Anthony Davis. LeBron James contributed with 20 points, 8 assists, and 9 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. On the opposing side, Trae Young played a pivotal role for the Hawks, finishing with 26 points and 13 assists, orchestrating the offense efficiently.
Dejounte Murray, who had been a subject of recent trade rumors, delivered an impressive performance with 24 points and 9 assists, possibly catching the attention of the Lakers.
Despite a solid start from LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers struggled to contain Dejounte Murray, allowing the Hawks to take control of the game. The Lakers faced challenges with outside shooting, and their defensive lapses allowed the Hawks to build a substantial lead. Even with attempts to make a comeback, the Lakers couldn’t overcome the Hawks’ dominance, ultimately succumbing to a 138-122 defeat.
With back-to-back blowout losses, the Lakers face significant challenges as they strive to improve their standing in the competitive Western Conference.
It’s Time For Rob Pelinka To Work His Magic
The Los Angeles Lakers, currently standing at 24-25, are facing a familiar scenario reminiscent of the previous season. Last year, the team found themselves in a challenging position before undergoing a roster change that transformed them into a competitive squad. While they finished 7th in the regular season, they proved to be a formidable force in the playoffs, defeating the Grizzlies and Warriors before succumbing to the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
The 2023-2024 season has been marked by inconsistency for the Lakers, with a rollercoaster ride of performances leading them to their current record. Recent blowout losses have underscored the team’s struggles, signaling the need for significant changes to revive their campaign. Despite showing glimpses of promise in the last two weeks, the Lakers’ recent performances have highlighted existing issues that must be addressed.
With just nine days remaining before the trade deadline, the spotlight turns to Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager, to work his magic once again. The expectation is that, aside from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, no player should consider themselves safe from potential moves. Pelinka faces the challenging task of making major roster adjustments to address the team’s vulnerabilities and elevate them to a more competitive level.
The urgency is palpable as the Lakers aim to secure a playoff spot and avoid a repeat of their recent setbacks. As the trade deadline looms, fans and analysts will closely watch Pelinka’s strategic moves, hoping for a transformation that can reignite the Lakers’ championship aspirations in the tough Western Conference.
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