Los Angeles Lakers Struggle Again in Phoenix Showdown
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers were looking to turn things around after a rough patch, but unfortunately, their recent woes continued. Coach JJ Redick’s plan to shift focus back onto the process instead of just chasing results didn’t pan out this time around, as the Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns 127-100 at the Footprint Center on Tuesday night. Yikes!
What Happened?
After losing two in a row, the Lakers had their work cut out for them, especially against the Suns, who have proven to be a solid team in the West. The game started with some hope, with Anthony Davis leading the charge, racking up an impressive 25 points and 15 rebounds. LeBron James chipped in with 18 points and 10 assists, although he had a bit of trouble with turnovers – five, to be exact. D’Angelo Russell also made a splash off the bench, scoring 16 points in his first game back in double figures since mid-November. But despite these efforts, the Lakers couldn’t keep up and now find themselves grappling with a three-game losing streak.
Defensive Struggles Shine Again
Before the game, Redick had emphasized the importance of being physical and playing defense, especially after their last game where they faltered in the third quarter against Denver. Sadly, the Lakers’ defensive performance didn’t match up to the talk. In the second half, they were completely outclassed, with a particularly rough third quarter where they only scored 18 points while allowing the Suns to explode for 36 points.
“It was a tough night,” Redick said, trying to stay optimistic, but it was hard to see the bright side when they allowed the Suns to soar to a combined 60.9% shooting percentage in the third quarter alone. Davis noted that the team’s communication on defense was “lax,” which allowed Phoenix to grab open shots and easy dunks. “Once again we just didn’t score in the third quarter,” he expressed. The frustration was palpable as the Lakers found themselves continually scrambling on defense, unable to regain their footing.
Building towards the Future?
Looking ahead, the Lakers are faced with a critical matchup on Friday against Oklahoma City, where they’ll need a win to even have a shot at the knockout stages of the NBA Cup. They may also need some luck, with the Suns facing the San Antonio Spurs and requiring a loss on their end. It’s an uphill battle, and star guard Austin Reaves shared the reality of the situation: “In the moment, it sucks because who wants to even think about the big picture?” It’s tough to keep the perspective when you’re in the thick of a challenging season.
Is There Hope?
Amidst the struggles, Davis believes a middle-ground improvement on defense could change their trajectory. “We should be able to get to the middle of the pack and that can change a lot for us,” he observed. But first, they’ll have to tackle significant issues like transition defense and staying strong on the boards. Coach Redick acknowledged that they might need to rethink some strategic elements, particularly against high-caliber offensive teams like Phoenix.
A Tough Road Ahead
The Lakers will need to dig deep and find that fire if they want to overcome their challenges. With games coming in quick succession, each one counts for the future of this team. As they face the Spurs, the hope is they can recapture that competitive spirit they showed early on this season alongside a committed defensive effort. “We gotta get better at that part of it,” Davis concluded.
So the Lakers fans, while the results right now might feel pretty bleak, it’s all about sticking together and believing in the process. Hopefully, they regain their rhythm and show the heart that helped them win early in the season. Onward and upward, Los Angeles!
