The Los Angeles Lakers just showed up to an incredibly challenging game against a better team and pulled off one of their most impressive wins in recent memory. They closed out a 120-117 win in OT after a Matt Ryan buzzer-beater helped them add another 5 minutes to the game and close out a strong performance.
The Lakers started the game off very well and had a double-digit lead at halftime. However, the Lakers struggled in the second half, and the teams were exchanging leads until the Pelicans had a 3-point lead with 1.3 seconds left against one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in basketball. Matt Ryan hit a sensational equalizer, and fans are super impressed with LA for closing this one out.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 3, 2022
“Ya I hit that 3 to save the Lakers haha. The name’s Matt Ryan by the way” pic.twitter.com/Lgcc8eHfbR
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 3, 2022
MATT RYAN SAVES THE LAKERS AT THE BUZZER!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/sDnKdFJj8Z
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 3, 2022
Lakers fans watching the team play good basketball pic.twitter.com/alM2aNFeAZ
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 3, 2022
MATT RYAN SAVES THE DAY AND THE LAKERS WIN IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/adLrdE9nM6
— Colb (@___Colb___) November 3, 2022
Lakers had plot armor in this game man
Basketball Gods just weren't gonna be that cruel tonight 😭
— Dom2K 🎅🎇 (@Dom_2k) November 3, 2022
Lonnie Walker tonight:
28 PTS
5-9 3P
Led the Lakers in points and threes. pic.twitter.com/lShhS2aGW7
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 3, 2022
Fun fact: The worst offense in the league doesn’t belong to the Lakers anymore.
It’s the other LA team. pic.twitter.com/m8bMyxs9mT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 2, 2022
Lakers when they got the last game of the day is deadass the funniest ball I’ve ever seen
— 𝘔𝘑 ★ (@FatitoByke) November 3, 2022
Lakers fans after Matt Ryan hit the 3 to send it to OT pic.twitter.com/G24U5Je4VC
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/Corey83757019/status/1588034165181644800
LAKERS ARE ON A 2 GAME WINNING STREAK‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/mVw5JFeFIE
— ™️_🌾 (@Sincerely_m0n) November 3, 2022
The Lakers are really about to go 77-5 with all due respect
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) November 3, 2022
they forgot doordash delivers at night 🤷♂️🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/CBSLVKvdpD
— juniolrd (@juniolrd1) November 3, 2022
This the happiest Westbrook has looked in 3 years 😭
— Dom2K 🎅🎇 (@Dom_2k) November 3, 2022
When Westbrook is HAPPY PLAYING BASKETBALL it’s a different ball game…. 👀
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) November 3, 2022
LeBron is 4-0 vs Zion in his career. pic.twitter.com/OnUYmonrcT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 3, 2022
Something is off with Lebron with all due respect https://t.co/1WXT9LS7JN
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) November 3, 2022
AD is playing on a bad back. He’s still putting up:
23.2 PPG
11.5 RPG
2.2 SPG
2.3 BPG
52.3 FG%
Only player averaging 2+ steals and 2+ blocks. pic.twitter.com/MrIreUlgXt
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 3, 2022
OMG AD and Bron on Defense and Russ is running shit rn
— LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) November 3, 2022
The Lakers might be seeing LeBron James take some time off after he was evidently in a lot of pain throughout the game with regard to his foot injury. This might be concerning for an LA team that is finally getting some momentum this season. Matt Ryan’s story from being a DoorDash driver to hitting buzzer-beaters for the most storied franchise in basketball is awe-inspiring.
Can The Lakers Keep The Momentum Going?
Despite the poor shooting personnel on the team, the Lakers have made a clear improvement in converting 3-point shots in their last 2 games. The defense has been solid from Game 1, but that is primarily due to Anthony Davis playing at a DPOY level so far this season.
The Lakers fell apart defensively when AD and LeBron were on the bench, so their impact cannot be understated despite their limited offensive contributions in recent games. With both players playing with injuries, the Lakers might have to rest them soon.
The Lakers’ 2-5 means they still have a hole to climb out of, so the celebrations for a playoff push can’t start just yet. But if the Lakers keep playing like this and getting positive efforts from Russell Westbrook as their sixth man, this team might actually be looking for a good season.
