Lakers Highlights: LA Stumbles Again, Sink Below .500 With Second Consecutive Loss

The purple and gold move one game below .500 after losing to the Atlanta Hawks.

In a game where the absence of Anthony Davis loomed large, your Los Angeles Lakers faced a considerable challenge, and unfortunately, they couldn't overcome it. The team struggled on both ends of the court, resulting in a frustrating 138-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, marking their 25th defeat of the season. 

This loss has pushed the Lakers one game below .500 (24-25), highlighting their difficulties this year.

From the outset, it was evident that the Lakers were grappling with the absence of AD. The offense sputtered, and the defense failed to find answers against a formidable Hawks squad. Despite the Lakers' efforts to mount a comeback, the Hawks had a response for every surge, maintaining control throughout the game.

One glaring issue was the battle of the boards, with the Hawks, particularly dominant on the offensive glass, where Atlanta out-rebounded the Lakers 12-7. Atlanta's starting backcourt tandem of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray took the Lakers lunch money. LA allowed the duo to score 50 points on 51% shooting. 

Murray especially looked like he was auditioning for that oft-rumored Lakers trade:

DJ cookin 'em with 3 straight middies 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/7bSHto5gsp

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 31, 2024

Adding to the Lakers' woes, sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanović made a significant impact off the bench, contributing 18 points in just 25 minutes.

While the Lakers managed a commendable 53% shooting from the field, their defensive efforts left much to be desired. Allowing Atlanta to shoot 52.5% from the field and 42.1% from behind the arc showcased a lackluster defensive performance. The Lakers appeared sluggish, out-hustled, and the overall effort on display marked one of their worst showings this season.

The 16-point loss doesn't fully capture the lack of energy and effort exhibited by the Lakers in this contest. As things stand, Los Angeles is a far cry from their championship aspirations. Instead, they're closer to being a lottery team than a championship one. 

As the Lakers close the chapter on a challenging January, finishing with a 7-8 record for the month, they hope for a turnaround in February. Their next challenge awaits on Thursday against arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics, in what promises to be a pivotal matchup at Boston starting at 4:30 p.m. PT.