The Los Angeles Lakers suffered the third loss of the season on Sunday in a hard-fought matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. After losing the first two matches of the season, the Purple and Gold hoped to add the first W to their record against the Blazers, but Damian Lillard and co. had different plans.
Even with Dame and the Blazers putting up a good fight, the Lakers held a comfortable lead during the last couple of minutes of the game. Unfortunately, a series of bad decisions made them lose it, and the victory slipped through their fingers.
During the final minute of the game, with a 1-point lead, Russell Westbrook made a terrible decision that many think led to the defeat. With 30 seconds on the game clock and 17 seconds on the shot clock, Russ went up and attempted a mid-range, but he missed it and the Blazers got the rebound.
Russell Westbrook Gets More Criticism After Missing A Clutch Mid-Range With 30 Seconds On The Clock
Instead of using the clock in his favor, Russ made a desperate decision and bricked his shot, giving the Blazers a terrific opportunity to take the lead and the game, which ultimately happened. Portland left Los Angeles with the 106-104 win, while Westbrook received a lot of criticism for his actions late in the game.
Russ might honestly be the worst player in the NBA at this point no BS pic.twitter.com/ri6PzTYmi8
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) October 23, 2022
This ain’t a big 3
— Nathan (@creighzynate) October 24, 2022
— 4pc.Mcnugget (@sasquatchloogie) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/centumunus/status/1584304035200258048
JAIL IMMEDIATELY
— Wizz Capital (@WizzCapital) October 23, 2022
sadly
— incendy (@incendy) October 23, 2022
Thats him screaming "trade me" meanwhile Pelinka got an extension
— Bron's 4th child (@JoaoNasser) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/HerbertElayda/status/1584304084944756736https://twitter.com/MohammedKB24/status/1584304093912145921
He is
— RUI FANATIC (@therealselena23) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/lipeamaral16/status/1584304121389383681
He offers alot defensively but just can't hit a jumper
— ThereGoes6 (@Y3SS1RSK1) October 23, 2022
Dude doesn’t care he’s getting his 44-48 million regardless. Should of just traded him in the offseason when you had the chance.
— 🤘🏽RA (Pew/Pew) (@RAknows23) October 23, 2022
he is AWFUL
— ً (@faithoutro) October 23, 2022
They are literally leaving him wide open
— Lebrons Burner (@LebronsWrld23) October 23, 2022
He’s so finished
— Dylan 🇧🇪 (@Dylanjoseph18) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/BashirJama4/status/1584304167073431552
— Aaron Miller (@Aaron_88) October 23, 2022
Like why take that shot? 😂
— Marv (@_MJC3_) October 23, 2022
Bro was saying no Russ no😭
— ً (@JamesTrippinFr) October 23, 2022
https://twitter.com/jamespaxtonyo/status/1584304689343889408
Ian gone lie, Russ may be purposely selling y’all😭 Taking that shot with 18 seconds on the clock is not the right shot, whether he made it or not💀 Amd Dame got the 3. GG😭
— Vaughn (@L8TER_) October 23, 2022
Stop blaming Russ when the whole team gave up and sucks
— Sam Doherty (@samdoherty2408) October 23, 2022
I’m mad cause Russ HAS NOT hit a jumper this whole gameeeee, not oneeeeeeeeee and he thought that’s the right timeeeeee, bro
— DatBoiAzeez (@DatZeez) October 23, 2022
with 18 seconds on the clock damn
— Two First Names Man (@ei0eight) October 23, 2022
seventeen seconds on the shot clock
— tony (@ChintuTony) October 23, 2022
If we loose it’s because of Russ for that exact play
— AnthonyDixon (@anthonydixon29) October 23, 2022
Bro they fr lettin Westbrook shoot wide open from 15 out and he still bricks it 😭😭😭
— JSnow💦 (@JSnowMob) October 23, 2022
It’s honestly just laughable how forced it is that the keep him out there
— BladesofaFan (@BladesofaFan) October 23, 2022
Bro pulled an early shot instead of milking the clock
— 🇧🇷 FamousPreto🇵🇸 (@Glass3Davis) October 23, 2022
No words bro fml
— honest jormickey fan (@0fficialGru) October 23, 2022
As usual, fans took to social media to blast him, and they didn’t have mercy, asking the team to trade Westbrook already. Yes, others defended him, but the vast majority asked to get Westbrook out of the Lakers.
The Lakers keep struggling and it doesn’t seem like this team as currently constructed will change anything for them. Many people expect a trade to happen soon, but nobody knows when that will take place and which team(s) will be involved in any move.
