Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James suffered the worst loss of his NBA career on Monday night with a 138-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Here’s what you need to know:
- After the 44-point loss, James told reporters that “a lot” needs to change. “We just have to play better,” James said.
- When asked how the Lakers should react to the loss, James said: “I don’t know anything about the team – I can only speak for myself. I do not like it.”
- James scored a team-high 18 points in 30 minutes but failed to record a rebound, marking the fourth time in his career that he finished with zero rebounds.
- Los Angeles lost to a record of 10-8 and 1-1 on its four-game road trip.
76ers find 3-point rhythm
Both the Lakers and Sixers entered Monday’s contest as below-average 3-point shooting teams. But Philadelphia came out strong against Los Angeles, making a season-high 22 3-pointers, including a season-high 13 in the first half.
The Sixers had a plus-45 lead at the 3-point line, which was probably the difference in the game from the Lakers’ perspective.
“The 3-point line,” James told reporters. “We got killed at the 3-point line today.”
Los Angeles’ opponents have made more three-pointers than they have in 14 of 18 games (they matched their opponents in makes twice and outscored them twice). The Lakers are just 6-8 in those 14 games. Their 3-point shooting – a problem in every season of the LeBron-Anthony Davis era – has become a significant problem, keeping them from reaching the top of the West standings. – Jovan Buha, Lakers beat writer
Loss of turning point
The Lakers are a group that often views the glass as half full. Coach Darvin Ham likes to refer to losses as “lessons learned.” James is unfazed by the regular season. Davis and Austin Reaves are as confident and self-critical as any other player at their respective positions.
But Monday’s historic loss to the 76ers was a turning point for the group. James, who is usually measured, came up short during his postgame media availability.
“What needs to change so that something like this doesn’t happen again?” James told reporters. “A lot.”
When asked for details, James declined.
“No,” he said. “A lot.”
Davis indicated that the team needed an honest, thorough film session. Reaves was just as blunt as James.
“They completely knocked us out,” Reaves said.
Los Angeles will get a much-needed palate cleanser in its next game on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons, who are 2-15 and have lost 14 straight games. But this is the kind of loss that will likely stay with the Lakers for a while – and potentially lead to major changes within the lineups and rotation. – Buha
Backstory
James became the NBA’s all-time minutes player on Monday, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (66,300). Entering Monday, James was averaging 25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game on 55.9 percent shooting from the floor.
Required reading
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)