Los Angeles Lakers were outclassed by the Sacramento Kings 120-130 in a devastating loss at home with major seeding consequences. The Lakers were up 30-13 early in the game but fell apart in the second quarter, entering halftime with a 15-point deficit at 57-72, getting not scored by 24 points in Q2.
Fans are embarrassed and furious at the result.
This was a massive loss for the Lakers, who fall further back of the top-six while officially losing their head-to-head season series with the Kings.
The Lakers saw LeBron James try and force a win with 31 points and 13 assists, with Rui Hachimura doing his part with 29 points. Anthony Davis was a massive letdown, scoring just 14 points on 5-13 shooting. Despite the theoretical size advantage the Lakers have, the Kings not only matched their physicality but outrebounded them comfortably as well.
The Kings had a sensational De’Aaron Fox performance lead them, as he dropped 44 points. Domantas Sabonis played solid defense on AD while putting up 12 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists. Former Laker Malik Monk torched them off the bench, scoring 26 points while dropping eight assists.
This loss came at the worst possible time for the Lakers. With a win over the Kings, they would have found themselves tied with the No. 8 seeded Mavericks and get within half a game of the No. 7 seeded Kings. Instead, they find themselves in the No. 10 spot with this loss, falling further behind Dallas and Sacramento while Golden State picked up a massive win over the Bucks to take the No. 9 seed.
Even if the Lakers make it into the play-in tournament, the result of that won’t be as exciting as many are hoping. They did make a wonderous run to the WCF last year, but the strength of the West this season is far improved. They’d need a favorable matchup just to have a chance at making the second-round if they can even get out of the play-in at all.
Darvin Ham’s job is under massive threat. Despite their success since February, the Lakers haven’t been able to move up the standings because of the consistency of other teams ahead of them. They have a shot at making the No. 6 seed if they replicate what they achieved last year, but that scenario is looking unlikely.
They have the eight-toughest schedule in the NBA, with their rivals like the Mavericks, Kings, and Warriors having easier schedules. It’s now or never for the Lakers and especially Darvin Ham, as he won’t be able to justify being the head coach if they fail to make the playoffs this year.
