The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a costly 119-131 loss to the Utah Jazz in Luka Doncic’s second game for the franchise. The team couldn’t replicate the small-ball brilliance that helped them win their last six games in a row, as Jaxson Hayes went out early and the Lakers were on the backfoot without any rim protector.
Doncic played just 23 minutes and put up 16 points (6-13 FG) with four rebounds and four assists, but was a team-low -19 on the night. Rui Hachimura led LA in scoring with 19 points (8-15 FG) while LeBron James had 18 points (6-13 FG), six rebounds, and seven assists. Austin Reaves had 15 points (4-15 FG) and 11 assists.
Fans were not pleased with this outing but are willing to give Luka some grace in adjusting to the team as he returns from a calf injury and on a minutes restriction.
“No DFS and Gabe. Luka on restriction. LeBron is probably in ASW mode. Ehh,” said one fan trying to justify the poor performance.
“Lakers beat a not-very-good Jazz team and we’re subject to non-stop ‘Could Luka and LeBron make a title run this year?’ takes. Only to be down 22 in the next game against the Jazz,” said another fan decidedly not impressed with this version of the Lakers.
“Again, this loss doesn’t move me. Our offense was red-hot (without Luka), we were bound to flame out. The Jazz are a young, desperate team, Will Hardy is a great coach. We’re ready for the AS break. Luka is still not in shape. Gabe, DFS, Jax all out. We’re good,” said a fan not wanting to make a big deal out of this loss.
“Luka Doncic has looked horrendous in a Lakers jersey and the Jazz are going to blow them out tonight,” said one fan blaming Luka for this loss.
“Seeing hate about the Lakers all over my TL but they don’t realize we got Luka for the next 10 years for free,” said one Lakers fan who isn’t bothered about short-term results because of the team’s bright future.
The Jazz comprehensively outplayed the Lakers tonight. Lauri Markkanen dominated with 32 points (11-18 FG) while Jordan Clarkson chipped in with 21 points (7-17 FG), nine rebounds, and seven assists. John Collins had 17 points (5-9 FG) and eight rebounds while Walker Kessler had 16 points (8-8 FG) and eight rebounds. Keyonte George had 20 points (7-12 FG), seven rebounds, and 10 assists off the bench.
This win will improve the Jazz to 13-40 on the season, still rooted to the No. 15 seed in the West. The Lakers fall to 32-20 and have now slipped a full game behind the No. 4 seeded Houston Rockets. They’re still 3.5 games ahead of the Play-In Tournament, so they’ll hope they can return from All-Star Weekend and pick up more wins and a healthier Luka leading the charge.
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