LeBron James didn’t hold back his frustration and disappointment after the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their 10th defeat in 13 games, losing 127-113 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Following the game, a visibly perturbed James expressed his blunt assessment of the team’s current state, saying, “We just su*k right now.” Despite his personal contribution of 32 points, it was the Lakers’ fourth consecutive loss.
Lakers Hit Rough Patch: LeBron James Acknowledges Struggles with 10th Loss in 13 Games
Anthony Davis also had an impressive performance, scoring 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent another discouraging defeat for the Lakers. Since winning the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, the team has struggled, managing only victories against San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Charlotte. Their recent loss to the Grizzlies was particularly disheartening, as they allowed a season-high 23 3-pointers to a Memphis team that ranks last in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage.
Prior to the game, coach Darvin Ham expressed confidence in his job security, citing discussions with owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka. Despite the Lakers’ recent struggles, Ham defended his team and highlighted areas of improvement. However, he also seemed frustrated with the public’s reaction to their performance, stating, “I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play. It’s ludicrous, actually. It’s like, ‘Come on, man. This is a marathon.'”
While Ham emphasized the need to view the bigger picture, LeBron James appeared less optimistic. He downplayed the significance of their recent success in Las Vegas, where they won two games, stating, “That was just two games, though. That was a small sample.” James acknowledged that the team had missed opportunities in the game against the Grizzlies, including critical turnovers and missed free throws, but remained disappointed with their overall performance.
In the game against Memphis, Austin Reaves stood out with 19 points and a career-high 12 assists. However, the Lakers couldn’t capitalize on their chances and now find themselves with a 0-2 record at the start of a challenging 12-game stretch, with only one game outside of Los Angeles.
On the other side, the Grizzlies showcased their offensive firepower, with Jaren Jackson Jr. scoring 31 points, including five 3-pointers, and Marcus Smart contributing 29 points with a season-high eight 3-pointers. Desmond Bane also had an impressive performance with 24 points and 13 assists, while Ja Morant added 21 points. Ziaire Williams made a significant impact in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 15 points as the Grizzlies closed out the game with a dominant 24-10 run.
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The Lakers’ recent struggles have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. With LeBron James expressing his frustration and the team facing a challenging stretch of games, it remains to be seen how they will respond to this rough patch. The Lakers must regroup and rediscover the fight and determination that characterized their earlier high-level performances. As James aptly put it, “We’ve got to keep the fight, though. We cannot lose our fight.“
