It has been a tough week for the Los Angeles Lakers. They acquired stomped out by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, with each Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves being injured in the identical recreation. OKC principally ended the Lakers’ postseason earlier than it even started with a single brutal shot.
Since late February, the Lakers have been probably the most dominant groups within the league. Beginning with a victory on February twenty eighth over the Warriors, Los Angeles has received 16 out of 19 video games. That features a formidable nine-game successful streak that modified the dialog round them.
This huge turnaround within the Lakers’ season was pushed by two issues. At first, Doncic began taking part in constant, MVP-worthy basketball. Second, Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James have all managed to be wholesome on the similar time. It is an important trio to steer a staff.
Then, the Lakers confronted off towards OKC on April 2nd. Not solely did the Thunder completely destroy Los Angeles by a rating of 139 to 96, however each Doncic and Reaves additionally sustained accidents that may preserve them out for at the very least the primary spherical of the playoffs. It was a loss that modified the season.
The Lakers’ postseason outlook has hit the rocks
Dropping Doncic and Reaves implies that James now has to steer the Lakers via the primary spherical with out them. Los Angeles simply doesn’t have the depth to make up for lacking two of their three finest gamers. And James is not the man to tug a staff via the playoffs on his personal anymore.
On prime of that, shedding to OKC had one other affect on the Lakers. Being crushed by 43 factors proper earlier than the playoffs, Los Angeles’ largest lack of the season, is extremely demoralizing. It has probably been an enormous hit to their confidence, significantly since they must tackle OKC sooner or later.
Based mostly on the present standings, the Lakers would face a full-strength Timberwolves within the first spherical with out Doncic and Reaves. If Los Angeles survives that, they’re hoping to have the boys again for the second spherical. That might be simply in time to most likely tackle the Spurs, a troublesome struggle to make sure.
Look, something can occur within the NBA Playoffs, particularly on the subject of the Lakers. Nonetheless, the percentages will not be of their favor, and it is all due to one recreation towards OKC. That loss was so full that it principally took Los Angeles’ complete season and flushed it down the bathroom.
