Lakers collapse to Pacers in heartbreaking fashion.
Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers collapse and blow a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and fall to the Pacers on a last-second prayer three by Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard, 116–115, dropping their season record to 7–12.
It looked all but over when Pacers’ Myles Turner missed the go-ahead three with 5.6 seconds left, but the Lakers' rebounding problems hurt them when it mattered most after Tyrese Haliburton grabbed the rebounds and found Andrew Nembhard at the perimeter for the win.
“I have to do a better job at keeping us organized,” said head coach Darvin Ham, immediately taking accountability for the loss.
One of the main causes of the Lakers' collapse was being outscored by Indiana (32-22) in the fourth quarter and a lack of execution late in the game.
“Everything has to go wrong for you to lose a game like that. And everything went wrong,” said LeBron James.
LeBron appeared to sprain his ankle in the first quarter after stepping on a Pacers player's foot while backpedaling. LeBron went straight to the locker room to further reevaluate his ankle and returned soon after to finish the rest of the game.
“It was better before it happened,” said LeBron on the status of his ankle.
LeBron finished with 21 points despite struggling from the floor on 3-for-10 (30%) shooting from three and 8-for-22 (36%) total from the floor, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes.
Anthony Davis’ touches have been inconsistent in the fourth quarter throughout the season, leading to low-scoring second-half games for the Lakers and showing the lack of adjustments made by Darvin Ham and his coaching staff.
In Monday’s loss, Davis attempted just two shots total in the fourth quarter (going 1-for-2). Disgusting right?
“Everything that led up to this loss and their comeback is on us. This one hurts,” said Davis after the loss.
Davis finished with a game-high (despite only shooting two shots in the 4th) 25 points on 60% (9-for-15) shooting from the field, adding 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in 36 minutes.
Finishing with six turnovers, Russell Westbrook had an up-and-down outing for the Lakers, scoring second on the team with 24 points on 55% (10-for-18) shooting, adding 6 assists and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes.
“I missed some big shots,” said Westbrook on his take on Monday’s loss, taking accountability.
The Lakers’ next matchup remains at home this Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers at 7:30 PM on Spectrum SportsNet and NBA TV.
