The Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffering a 29point defeat on the road. This defeat, concluding with a score of 12192, marks the Lakers’ largest loss of the current season. Following this game, the Lakers hold a record of 84 as they prepare to finish a fourgame road trip against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lakers’ Road Trip Struggles
The Lakers began their road trip with a loss to the Atlanta Hawks, followed by a win against the Charlotte Hornets. However, the match against the Thunder showcased significant struggles for the team. Luka Dončić led the team with 19 points but could not prevent the blowout defeat.
Austin Reaves’ Insight
Austin Reaves provided a candid assessment of the game, saying, “They did what we wanted to do. Just to be blunt, they beat the s— out of us tonight.” He finished the game with 13 points over 30 minutes but remained optimistic about the team’s potential moving forward.
Coach JJ Redick’s Reflections
Head coach JJ Redick echoed Reaves’ sentiments, acknowledging the poor performance on the road. He stated, “I don’t think it’s been a great road trip for us. I don’t think it’s reflective of who the group is going to be, but it clearly is who the group is right now, and so we’ve got to course correct.”
Injury Updates
The Lakers are still missing star player LeBron James, who is recovering from a sciatica issue. However, he participated in practice with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s GLeague affiliate, completing some transition drills and engaging in a few live possessions. Redick shared that James’ continued recovery could lead to his season debut in the near future.
Next Game
The Lakers’ upcoming matchup against the struggling Pelicans offers an opportunity to bounce back from the disappointing loss to the Thunder. Though James will remain sidelined, the team remains optimistic about their performance moving forward.