Lakers fall big to Nets in shorthanded battle.
BROOKLYN — The Lakers fell big to the Nets without stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the lineup, losing 121–104 to Brooklyn on Monday to drop their record to 23–27.
After being outscored 16-29 in the first quarter, the Lakers played catch-up the rest of the way, getting closer with a 16-0 run in the second half, only to be outscored again, 36-22, in the fourth.
Without their first and second scoring options out of the lineup, the Lakers looked to the man they pay $47 million a year, Russell Westbrook, to take command of the offense. Russell Westbrook finished with 17 points on just 33% shooting from the floor, adding 10 assists, and 8 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
Toward the end of the second quarter, Westbrook finished a sweet dime to center Thomas Bryant for the dunk, getting the assists to place him 10th all-time in career assists, passing Hall of Famer Gary Payton for the feat.
“I’m just truly grateful and thankful for the opportunity to keep playing at the highest level,” said Russell Westbrook. “I don’t take anything for granted”
The Lakers' struggles from the floor were a frustrating aspect of Monday’s loss; shooting 39% overall from the floor, their second-worst of the season, going 35-for-89.
Thomas Bryant was the Lakers' leading scorer, finishing with 18 points and 9 rebounds while shooting 87% (7-for-8) from the floor.
In just his third game, Rui Hachimura scored his highest in a Lakers uniform, scoring 16 points on 46% (6-for-13) shooting from the field, adding 4 rebounds and an assist in 27 minutes.
The Lakers will continue their road trip on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back against the New York Knicks at 4:30 PM on Spectrum SportsNet and TNT.
