The Los Angeles Lakers look like a shadow of the team that dominated the NBA all February, losing their third straight game tonight with a 106-126 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers were without several key contributors including LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes.
Luka Doncic had his highest-scoring game as a Laker, dropping 45 points (14-27 FG) with 11 rebounds in the loss. Doncic started the game with 29 points in the first half, the most for a Laker in any game this season. Austin Reaves was the only other player to show up, putting up 28 points (10-17 FG) and eight rebounds off the bench. Dalton Knecht’s 10 points (4-7 FG) made him the only other player to score in double digits.
Fans had a mixed reaction to the game, as many were pleased with Doncic but disappointed at the result.
“This game is giving me 2023 Mavs flashbacks with Luka going crazy and having absolutely no help,” said one fan about Luka’s attempts at carrying a shorthanded Lakers squad.
“Lakers need LeBron and Hayes back. Desperately,” said one fan understanding that the Lakers can’t return to winning ways until players get healthy.
“Luka has 45 points on over 50% shooting, and yet the Lakers are getting blown out by the Bucks in Milwaukee. As someone who enjoys watching Luka but greatly dislikes the Lakers, this is the way,” said a non-Lakers fan who loved the outcome of the clash.
“Hopefully all the terrible Rui takes can get put to rest now. By far the most important player on the Lakers,” said another fan about needing Rui Hachimura back on the court.
“Austin Reaves’ competitive spirit is so underrated,” said one fan, giving Reaves credit for his attempts to keep the Lakers in the game.
“Individually this was Luka’s best game of the season. Also, we win this game with Rui and Bron. No one outside Reaves and Luka showed up tonight. Also, put some respect on Jaxson Hayes. See you tomorrow for Lakers Nuggets,” said one fan who’s looking forward to their back-to-back against the Nuggets even after tonight’s loss.
The Bucks rode four fantastic performances to a win tonight. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the leading scorer with 24 points (8-17 FG), 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Brook Lopez had 23 points, four rebounds, and five assists while Damian Lillard contributed 22 points (6-14 FG), six rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Porter Jr. also scored 22 points (5-10 FG) off the bench.
The Lakers fell to a 40-24 record on the season with tonight’s loss, slipping to the No. 4 seed in the West. They’re a full game behind No. 2 right now and tied with the No. 5 seeded Houston Rockets, so they need to start maximizing wins as soon as possible.
This was a huge win for the Bucks, whose record improved to 37-28, half a game ahead of the Indiana Pacers for the No. 4 seed in the East.
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