The Lakers are in the midst of what has largely been a season filled with inconsistency. Los Angeles fell to 21-22 on Friday night after collapsing in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets.
At one point in the game, the Lakers held a six-point lead, only to let the game slip away after they left the locker room for the final two quarters of the contest. The Lakers were outscored by 24 points in the second half and allowed only 44 points after halftime. That matched the fewest points they have allowed in the second half this season.
The poor second half showing sparked some blunt criticism from second-year Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
“Talk about the tale of two different halves,” Ham said. “That first half is what we’re working towards. . . . And then the inconsistency showed up and reared its head in the second half. . . . We have to decide which team we’re gonna be.”
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Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers watches his team warm up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena on January 19, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Ham then suggested that the time to use excuses had expired.
“It’s over for the excuses,” Ham continued. “We got to play basketball.”
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Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn told his team at halftime he wanted them to be more physical.
The Nets went on a 23-8 run over a six-minute span in the third quarter to grab an 87-78 advantage. Brooklyn took the lead with a 12-4 run, including a three-pointer by Bridges to give them their first lead at 76-74 with 8:09 remaining in the quarter.
LeBron James, #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, looks on during the game on January 19, 2024, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Tyler Ross/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Lakers played inspired basketball earlier in the season during the team’s run to winning the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, but they have largely underwhelmed since they hoisted the NBA Cup.
The Lakers have gone 7-13 since the tournament’s championship game. The team has also suffered multiple four-game losing streaks during that span.
Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Former NBA coach and current television broadcaster Doc Rivers pointed out the possible issue with the Lakers’ body language presented during Friday’s loss.
Lakers star Austin Reaves was asked whether the team’s body language in the second half partially stemmed from any possible frustration with the way the game had been officiated.
“Nah. I think all the body language, frustration comes from losing,” Reaves responded.
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The Lakers currently sit in the tenth spot in the Western Conference standings.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
