Monday, following the Lakers’ lopsided victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the only logical inquiries were directed at the modern media take machinery.
Might the Lakers emerge victorious in the Western Conference? Had they made the hairpin turn? Were they capable of finishing in the conference’s top four?
The segment producers were almost palpable as the Lakers dominated the Kings in a victory that would have propelled them to the top of the standings on Wednesday night. The high-energy offense of the Kings had come to a halt as the Lakers replicated the defensive intensity with which they began the game on Monday. The Lakers’ offense then flourished; the ball was passed to an open shooter, who made every major shot.
They held a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter, rendering their potential indisputable.
But then every defect appeared.
Neglected rebounds, incoherent play, improper body language, premature blunders, and an opportunity swiftly lost.
The Kings seized control of Wednesday’s contest and overturned a 19-point deficit into a 15-point lead before halftime at Crypto.com Arena, securing a 130-120 victory.
Furthermore, the Lakers (34-30) utilized a timeout to remove LeBron James from the game, but he remained in the locker room for the final minutes of the fourth quarter as the team played the worst-case scenario.
With the exception of brief periods, the Lakers’ defense has been primarily absent since their return from the All-Star break. However, it has now abandoned them entirely. The Kings (35-23) completed 18 of 23 second-quarter attempts, which included a string of 14.
The Lakers’ reserves, under the leadership of former Laker Malik Monk, were dominated by them. Since the team decided to start Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Austin Reaves, the reserves have struggled to generate scoring opportunities.
As Lakers head coach Darvin Ham initiated his substitutions near the conclusion of the first period, the Kings began their run, scoring the last ten points of the quarter to eliminate over half of the Lakers’ early advantage.
It continued as, of all persons, Domantas Sabonis bullied Anthony Davis, forcing Davis to play through foul trouble. And as a result of his partially nullified presence at the rim, the defenders of the kings charged Reaves, Russell, Taurean Prince, and anyone else who attempted to approach De’Aaron Fox and Monk.
In the paint, Fox scored 44 points, Monk contributed 26, and the Kings accumulated 76. Sabonis contributed to the game with 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists.
Davis recorded a meager 14 points and 11 rebounds in his final performance.
Before departing, James led the Lakers with 31 points.
On Friday, the Lakers will be the guests of the Milwaukee Bucks, continuing a stretch during which they have played against some of the greatest teams in the NBA.