Lakers struggles continue, falling to the Pelicans for their 3rd straight loss.
The Lakers' woes continued into tonight’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, losing 128–11 and dropping their season record to 28–16. This team has yet to find their identity as they struggle to cope without LeBron James. With tonight’s loss to the Pelicans, the Lakers dropped to the 4th seed in the Western Conference. This Lakers team is looking to be without LeBron James for the next couple of weeks and as the Western Conference competitive standings loom they can continue to drop seeds if they don't find a way to adjust to playing without their superstars.
Before tonight’s matchup, the Lakers honored the recent passing of one of basketball's great Elgin Baylor with a moment of silence before tonight’s game. Baylor changed the game of basketball both on the court and off. Elgin Baylor was drafted by the then Minneapolis Lakers back in 1958 and he was the centerpiece when they officially moved to California to become the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor was able to take the Lakers to seven finals appearances in an era dominated by the great Boston Celtics. He broke barriers by being the first African-American captain in the history of this game, fighting through much scrutiny and discrimination during a time of segregation. Baylor sat out a game during an NBA season to protest against racism after he was refused food service because he was black.
The New Orleans Pelicans had an explosive night on offense, fully taking advantage of a depleted Lakers team. Former Laker 2 overall pick Brandin Ingram had an unbelievable performance with a game-high 36 points on 14–26 shooting from the field. The Lakers had no answer tonight against the Pelicans’ young stars Brandin Ingram and Zion Williamson combined for 63 points on the night.
Despite shooting a near 50% from the three-point line, making 18 threes (2nd most of the season) on 18–37, the Lakers were exposed tonight by their lack of length in a nightmarish matchup against a big Pelicans team, out-rebounding the Lakers 53 to 34. The Pelicans had their way in the paint tonight, scoring 62 points in the paint, showcasing the main focal point in tonight’s win, finishing a high field goal percentage of 52% on 47–90 from the field.
The Lakers had 6 players finish in double figures tonight with 3 players coming from the Lakers' starting unit. 2-way player Devontae Cacok was called upon tonight against a big Pelicans team in his first NBA start. In 13 minutes, Cacok didn't give the Lakers much of a boost finishing with 4 points and 2 rebounds on 2–5 shooting.
The leading scorer for the Lakers tonight was the always energetic Montrezl Harrell. Harrell was aggressive on the glass, drawing fouls and being able to go to the free-throw line 12 times going 8–12. In 33 minutes, Harrell finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 5–10 (50%) shooting from the field.
Kyle Kuzma was able to bounce back with a double-double tonight after a not-so-great outing in Sunday's loss to the Suns. Kuzma notched his 11th double-double of the season, finishing tonight with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists on 6–14 (43%) shooting from the field and 4–8 (50%) from the perimeter. The Lakers are going to need Kuzma to step up tremendously in the absence of LeBron James. Kuzma spoke about the state of this Lakers team having to adjust without their stars saying:
"This team was constructed for playing off LeBron and Anthony Davis, so for us, we have to switch up the script."
Lakers starting point guard Dennis Schroder did not have a great night shooting from the field, finishing 2–10. Most of Schroder's points came from the foul line going 10–12. In 35 minutes, Schroder scored 15 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Lakers Wesley Matthews had struggled shooting from the three prior to tonight’s game trying to find a rhythm. Matthews went 4–8 from the perimeter finishing with 14 points on the night. The Lakers are going to need their 3 point specialists to step up in the absence of their injured stars, as head coach Frank Vogel admitted before today's game saying the Lakers need to “shoot more threes.”
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel spoke about the struggles surrounding this Lakers team as of late without LeBron James in the lineup:
"Getting us organized offensively is probably my top priority right now."
The Lakers are now 0–2 since LeBron James injured his right ankle on Saturday suffering a high ankle sprain. It's still not time to panic because all this team needs is time to adjust to playing without LeBron. The Lakers have had to adjust so much this season with the constant battles they have faced with injuries and this team is deep enough to win some games without James.
The Lakers will now go on a 4 game home stint for their first matchup this Thursday against the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference Philadelphia 76ers. They will have their hands full against high-powered 6ers teams with a lead MVP candidate Joel Embiid leading the way.