LeBron James did not sugarcoat his more and more bitter emotions after the Los Angeles Lakers spiraled to their tenth loss in 13 video games Friday night time, falling 127-113 to the Memphis Grizzlies.
“We simply suck proper now,” a visibly perturbed James stated after he scored 32 factors within the Lakers’ fourth consecutive loss.
Anthony Davis had 31 factors in Los Angeles’ newest discouraging defeat since successful the inaugural NBA In-Season Event. The Lakers — who gave up a season-high 23 3-pointers to a Memphis staff that is final within the NBA in 3-point capturing share — have overwhelmed solely San Antonio, Oklahoma Metropolis and Charlotte since elevating the trophy in Las Vegas 4 weeks in the past.
Earlier than the sport, coach Darvin Ham stated he felt assured in his job safety due to his discussions with proprietor Jeanie Buss and basic supervisor Rob Pelinka. After the Lakers’ newest dismal effort, Ham praised his staff’s areas of enchancment whereas expressing a curious frustration with the general public reception of their latest struggles.
“That is the NBA, man,” Ham stated. “This can be a marathon. You must have a look at the totality of the image. I am uninterested in individuals dwelling and dying with each single sport we play. It is ludicrous, truly. It is like, ‘Come on, man. This can be a marathon.’ We hit a troublesome stretch. It is the identical staff. We performed some high-level video games a short time in the past, and we have simply bought to get again to that. We have got to maintain the battle, although. We can’t lose our battle.”
James does not share his coach’s optimism: He reacted negatively to a suggestion that the Lakers’ strong play within the event last was a sign that this staff could be a championship contender.
“That was simply two video games, although,” James stated. “That was a small pattern. All people is getting so cracked up about Vegas, hold citing Vegas. It was two video games. We took care of that enterprise … however that was actually simply two video games.”
Austin Reaves had 19 factors and a career-high 12 assists, however the Lakers dropped to 0-2 to start a 12-game stretch with only one sport outdoors of Los Angeles. The Lakers acknowledge they’re feeling the pressure of their shedding streak.
“Sporting this uniform, you get lots of flack, and guys are watching you beneath a microscope as a staff,” Davis stated. “You may have a few dangerous video games, lose a pair in a row, you possibly can’t lose your confidence. Cannot be on social media, listening to no matter persons are saying. We have got to remain collectively on this locker room and discover our manner out of it. There is no assist coming. There is no cavalry. We have got to do it with the fellows we have and stay collectively.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. hit 5 3-pointers and scored 31 factors and Marcus Good added 29 factors with a season-high eight 3-pointers for the Grizzlies, who earned simply their second win in six video games.
Desmond Bane had 24 factors and 13 assists whereas Ja Morant scored 21 factors for Memphis, whose beginning lineup mixed for 21 of these 3-pointers. Good had missed 16 consecutive 3-point makes an attempt over the previous 5 video games in a low-percentage capturing season earlier than he hit the primary of his 8 3-pointers towards the Lakers.
Ziaire Williams added 10 of his 15 factors within the fourth quarter whereas the Grizzlies pulled away from the Lakers with a game-ending, 24-10 run.
“We bought some fairly beauty,” James stated. “They turned us over. I had two important turnovers, missed 4 free throws. However we had our possibilities.”
Los Angeles had gained six consecutive residence video games over the Grizzlies up to now 12 months, together with three straight within the Lakers’ first-round playoff upset of the second-seeded Grizz final spring.
“It was good, as a result of clearly we have not gained right here shortly,” Morant stated. “It is the staff that knocked us out of the playoffs. Clearly, we’re not the place we wish to be proper now throughout the season, so this was a big-time win for us. We are able to carry the momentum from this sport.”
The Lakers performed with out two regulars and frequent starters: D’Angelo Russell missed his third straight sport with a bruised tailbone, and Rui Hachimura missed his second in a row with a strained left calf.
Throughout the third quarter, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins bought a technical foul for stepping onto the court docket throughout play to argue a few no-call throughout a free ball scramble between James and Jackson.
Jenkins impeded Taurean Prince main the Lakers’ quick break the opposite manner after which fought aggressively to get previous his assistants as they held him again from the officers, however Jenkins by some means wasn’t ejected. Jenkins stated he apologized to Ham for interrupting play.
“You possibly can’t try this, so I take full accountability there,” Jenkins stated. “I noticed a tussle there. Jaren is clamping LeBron. Clearly (the officers) did not see that, after which I noticed one thing that crossed the road. Possibly have a look at it after the actual fact, however I noticed perhaps some intent that I needed to get up for my man. Glad to see our guys rally. Clearly bought the gang into it. … I used to be simply happy with the way in which they fought during after a troublesome first 12 minutes.”
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At Phoenix on Sunday.
Lakers: Host Clippers on Sunday.
