At this point in the year, you’d think we’d have run out of ways to chronicle the Lakers’ levels of failure.
They’re on the edge of the playoff picture. Their fans have started to lose semblances of rationality, even for LeBron James. It’s been the arguable worst year of Russell Westbrook’s career, in more ways than one. The list, truly, goes on.
But despite their many, many, many struggles, LeBron and Co. still controlled their destiny. For the most part. All they had to do on Sunday night was beat the Pelicans (-4). A win would’ve given L.A. a two-game lead in the loss column and likely kept them buoyed enough to qualify for the play-in tournament.
A 23-point first-half lead was a fantastic start. Laker-Land was rocking somewhere. LeBron looked unstoppable. What could go wrong?
You’d only ask that oh-so-naive question if you haven’t been paying attention to the Lakers’ plight. Let me refresh you.
Sound the alarm 🚨 pic.twitter.com/zxEalo9jZD
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 28, 2022
Final. pic.twitter.com/3UeXFziARy
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 28, 2022
As has been their M.O. this season, the Lakers cratered. Then, naturally, the Pelicans, led by Brandon Ingram (26 points), took advantage in a 116-108 comeback win.
Rinse, repeat. The same story of the 2021-2022 Lakers, but finally happening at the worst possible time. I’ll spell it out for you again.
With the loss to New Orleans, the Lakers sit in 10th in the West. There are eight regular-season games left, including bouts against six playoff teams (the Suns, Warriors, Jazz, Nuggets, and Mavericks). They also play the Pelicans, again, on the road later next week.
Given their gauntlet of a schedule, if the Lakers lose that game, I have to tell you: I don’t feel all that confident they even qualify for the play-in. An unthinkable prospect in October for a “title contender” has now become a reality.
I want to retract my rock bottom descriptor of these Lakers. They’re in a purple and gold abyss — dark, depressing, and endless,
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