A franchise like the Los Angeles Lakers would always wish to make a positive mark in the league. The Lakers are among the most decorated and popular franchises in history, a feat they’ve achieved due to their on-court performances that displayed a high level of dominance over other teams in the league.
However, recently, the Lakers seem to have lost their dominance. Their performances this season have led them to create a history that doesn’t befit their status as a prominent team.
Lakers’ unprecedented struggles in three-point shooting continue
The Lakers suffered a shocking defeat on Wednesday night as they lost to the Rockets for the fifth time this season, losing 128–94. Particularly, the Lakers have lost all five of their away games this season and still struggling on the road. By comparison, they have won all three of their games on their home court.
Adding to their woes, the Lakers have made two undesired records in NBA history regarding three-point attempts. Throughout the Lakers’ first eight games of the season, they have consistently made fewer three-pointers than their opponents and maintained a lower three-point shooting percentage, according to ESPN Stats & Info. This unprecedented feat marks them as the first NBA team to face such circumstances in the opening eight games of a season.
Currently, the Lakers occupy the 29th spot in the league for three-point percentage, converting only 29.6% of attempts from beyond the arc. Similarly, they rank 29th in the league for average made three-point baskets, with an average of nine per game. In the specific matchup on Wednesday night, the Lakers struggled, completing just seven out of 25 three-point attempts, resulting in a 28% success rate.
Ham’s blunt assessment after Lakers’ defeat
Darvin Ham addressed the media after the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a defeat against the Houston Rockets. In the third game of their four-game road trip on Wednesday night, the Lakers faced the Houston Rockets in Texas. They struggled from the beginning, trailing 32-19 in the first quarter, and failed to recover throughout the game. The Rockets emerged victorious with a final score of 128-94, with every player on their team contributing to the score.
After the defeat Darvin Ham addressed the media and shed light on starting 0-5 on the road this season via a tweet. Ham said, “At the end of the day, you know no one’s gonna feel sorry for you, especially when you’re a Los Angeles Laker.”
After eight games, the Lakers’ record is currently 3-5, and they are currently experiencing a three-game losing streak. Rui Hachimura was a star player for the Lakers, putting up great shooting numbers and leading the club with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
However, the Rockets secured their fourth consecutive victory, improving to a 4-3 record in the early stages of the new season. The Lakers will conclude their road trip with a matchup against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in Arizona on Friday evening.
