Darvin Ham Blasts Lakers After Uninspired Loss to Nets: ‘It’s Over for Excuses’

The Los Angeles head coach acknowledged the team’s reality as it dropped to 7–13 since winning the NBA in-season tournament.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another tough loss on Friday night, falling to the Brooklyn Nets, 130–112 at home. The Lakers led the Nets by six at halftime but collapsed in the second half, when Brooklyn outscored them, 68–44.

Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham has been facing scrutiny this season, and he expressed his frustration with yet another brutal loss after the game.

“That first half is what we’re working toward … and then the inconsistency showed up and reared its head in the second half,” Ham told reporters. “We have to decide which team we’re gonna be.”

Then, Ham punctuated his comments by demanding action instead of just words from his players.

“It’s over for the excuses,” Ham added. “We got to play basketball.”

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham lamented another tough loss on Friday night :: Kirby Lee/USA Today sports

The Nets bench outscored the Lakers bench, 59–23, including a game-high 33 points from guard Cam Thomas.

“You show it on film and address it with the group,” Ham said of his team’s collapse. “You take all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly and you show it to them.”

With the loss, the Lakers dropped to 21–22 on the season and are barely hanging on to the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, which is the last spot in the play-in tournament.

The Lakers play host to the Portland Trail Blazers (12–29) on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.