Honestly, if you looked at the standings a month ago, you’d have thought the Purple and Gold were cruising. But the nba news today lakers fans are waking up to is a lot grittier than that early-season 15-4 record suggested. Last night was a disaster. There is no other way to put a 135-117 home loss to a Charlotte Hornets team that, frankly, hasn't been scary to anyone else lately.
The Lakers are now 24-15. That sounds decent, right? Well, they’ve dropped four of their last five. They’ve gone 8-11 over their last 19. The "new car smell" of the JJ Redick era has officially faded, and what’s left is a team that looks like a Ferrari with a Prius engine whenever the starters sit down.
The Luka Problem (That Isn't Really a Problem)
It still feels weird to say it, but having Luka Doncic in a Lakers jersey is the only thing keeping this season from imploding. He put up 39 points against Charlotte. He’s averaging 33.6 points and nearly 9 assists. But here is the catch: he’s currently ruled out for tonight’s game against Portland with groin soreness.
When you lose a guy who is basically your entire offensive engine, things get ugly. Especially when Austin Reaves is also sidelined with that calf strain. The Lakers’ depth is being tested, and so far, it’s failing miserably. Against the Hornets, the bench combined for a grand total of 9 points. Nine. In a modern NBA game where teams regularly cross 120 points, having your second unit contribute less than a double-double is a death sentence.
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Why the Defense is Currently Non-Existent
Redick came in promising a tactical revolution. For a while, it worked. Now? The Lakers have the 26th-ranked defense in the league. They are essentially a "turnstile" team. They let LaMelo Ball walk into nine three-pointers last night. It wasn't just him, though; Miles Bridges was 9-for-13.
The lack of a defensive identity is the most alarming part of the nba news today lakers cycle. Without Jarred Vanderbilt being 100% and with Deandre Ayton (who is also questionable tonight with knee soreness) struggling to anchor the paint, teams are just feasting. You can't win titles if you're giving up 130+ to sub-.500 teams. Kendrick Perkins didn't hold back this morning, calling them "just a bunch of individuals." Hard to argue when you see the lack of rotation effort on the perimeter.
Trade Rumors Are Heating Up for Pelinka
Rob Pelinka is under the microscope again. The trade deadline is looming, and the rumors are flying. Word is the Lakers are dangling Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt as a package. They need a "3-and-D" wing yesterday.
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- Herb Jones is the dream target, but New Orleans wants a king’s ransom.
- Jonathan Kuminga just requested a trade from the Warriors, and you better believe Pelinka is on the phone.
- There’s even wild chatter about a Michael Porter Jr. deal involving the Nets, though that feels like a long shot.
The most interesting strategy is the 2032 first-round pick. Apparently, the Lakers are trying to flip that one distant pick for two or three "lesser" first-rounders. It’s a move to get more assets to play with. They need bodies that can actually contribute when LeBron James takes a breather.
The LeBron Dilemma at 41
LeBron is still doing LeBron things, which is insane at 41. He’s averaging over 20 points and looks like he could play another five years. But the Lakers can’t keep asking him to bail them out in January. He played 33 minutes in a blowout loss to Charlotte. That’s a lot of mileage for a regular-season game that was over by the third quarter.
What to Expect Against Portland Tonight
Tonight’s game at the Moda Center is a "must-win" that feels like a "will-lose" if the injury report doesn't clear up. Portland is 20-22 and missing half their roster too—no Damian Lillard (Achilles), no Scoot Henderson.
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If Luka is out, the Lakers will likely start Maxi Kleber or Drew Timme in the frontcourt if Ayton can't go. It’s going to be a messy, high-variance game.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans:
- Watch the Injury Report: If Ayton and Luka are both out, the Lakers are essentially playing an G-League level rotation behind LeBron.
- Monitor the 3-Point Percentage: The Lakers are 8th-worst in the league from deep. If they don't hit at least 12 threes tonight, they probably lose.
- Trade Deadline Countdown: Keep an eye on the January 25th-30th window. That's when we'll see if Pelinka is serious about moving Vanderbilt or Vincent to save the season.
The Lakers have the talent at the top, but the foundation is shaky. They need to find a way to stop the bleeding in Portland before the Western Conference standings leave them in the dust.