The Los Angeles Lakers faced a challenging week as they entered Tuesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks with a record of 23-14, but notably on a three-game losing streak. This slump began with a defeat to the formidable San Antonio Spurs, was followed by a narrow four-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and culminated in a disappointing 124-112 loss to the struggling Sacramento Kings. While such downturns can be expected during the post-holiday phase of the NBA season, opposing teams have begun to unveil the Lakers’ vulnerabilities.
An assistant coach observed, “They were 10 games over .500 for several weeks, but they seem like a paper tiger, not nearly as strong as their record suggests.” Key concerns include the team’s shooting struggles and high turnover rate, alongside an ineffective transition game and defensive issues. With their performance so far, the coach suggested the Lakers appear to be a team that could exit in the first round of the playoffs.
This sentiment is echoed by the statistical reality reflecting the Lakers’ performance. Despite their winning record, they have been outscored by 24 points over 37 games, suggesting their expected record should be closer to 19-18 or 18-19 rather than 23-14.
Lakers coach JJ Redick is acutely aware of the challenges facing the team. He has been critical of their playstyle, recognizing that despite their record, they do not resemble a traditionally strong team. Current statistics illustrate their struggles: shooting at just 33.8% from three-point range (last in the league), with a turnover rate of 15.4% (22nd), generating only 18.5 fast break points per game (29th), and holding a defensive rating of 117.1 (26th).
Despite these setbacks, there remains a glimmer of hope for the Lakers. The team has grappled with injuries, having only seen their star trio—Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves—play together in the starting lineup for just seven games this season. Upcoming challenges include an extensive eight-game road trip from January 20 through February 3; however, the team successfully navigated similar trips in the last two years with a 9-3 record.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers appear tentative not to disrupt their future financial flexibility. Rather than a complete rebuild, they seem inclined toward a soft retool, focusing on maintaining cap space and holding onto future draft picks. This strategic approach aligns them with broader trends seen across the league as teams reassess their financial commitments.
The current phase for the Lakers may be complex, but there’s still potential for a turnaround as they seek to recalibrate and return to form.