The Los Angeles Lakers are primarily out of the 2024 NBA Cup following a troublesome loss towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
The LA Lakers‘ struggles proceed to persist because the defending champions had been defeated by the hands of the OKC within the 2024 NBA Cup group stage.
After 4 quarters, the Purple and Gold had been handed a 101-93 defeat by the Thunder.
The most important spotlight was the Thunder’s unbelievable protection, which ensured they stored Anthony Davis quiet for almost all of the sport.
Davis completed the sport with 15 factors, 12 rebounds, and seven assists alongside 1 steal and 4 blocks to his identify as properly. Nonetheless, the veteran large man tried simply 9 discipline targets regardless of enjoying 38 minutes.
Alternatively, LeBron James‘ poor type continued because the King was held to only 12 factors, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. He additionally shot an abysmal 5-of-13 from the sector, together with a 0-4 three-point taking pictures night time.
James is now averaging simply 19.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds, and eight.8 assists during the last eight video games. He has a plus-minus of -72. It’s evident that the Lakers have gone simply 4-4 throughout that stretch.
That is arguably the primary time throughout James’ Lakers stint, it seems like he’s going by way of a steep decline.
With the Lakers falling to an 11-8 report and nearly eradicated from the NBA Cup, one would suppose there have been no positives for the staff.
Nonetheless, as James identified within the postgame interview, star rookie Dalton Knecht nonetheless had an awesome outing. LBJ additionally talked about Davis’ lack of involvement on the offensive finish of the ground.
“All of us obtained to do a greater job of attempting to maintain him [Anthony Davis] concerned offensively as a result of we all know what it does for our offense,” James mentioned.
He added: “I believe it was simply a type of video games the place I don’t suppose anyone was a lot within the rhythm in addition to Dalton [Knecht].”
Knecht scored 20 factors with a 6-of-13 taking pictures efficiency from the three-point line because the highly-touted rookie continues to impress in a beginning 5 function.
However as James talked about, nearly each participant struggled to attain. If the Purple and Gold had discovered a technique to contain AD extra, the sport may have ended in a different way.
Associated Posts
