The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent game against the Chicago Bulls took an unexpected and disheartening turn. What appeared to be a controlled contest for the Lakers ended in a stunning fashion, with Josh Giddey’s half-court buzzer-beater securing a 199-117 victory for the Bulls.
This dramatic finish was compounded by the Lakers being outscored 44-26 in the fourth quarter, signaling a troubling trend for the team. The loss marks the Lakers’ fourth defeat in their last five games, with their sole victory coming from a LeBron James buzzer-beater against the Indiana Pacers.
On ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins discussed the Lakers’ recent struggles, with Perkins expressing significant concern.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James Playing With Injury
“The Lakers are in trouble. The Lakers are in trouble,” Perkins emphasized, highlighting the importance of the Bulls game. “That was a game last night that they needed to win and they were supposed to win…They are 2.5 games back of being in the play-in tournament.”
Perkins also suggested that LeBron James is not at full health, estimating his condition at “70-75%.”
Smith further amplified the concern, predicting that the Lakers could lose five of their next six games, given their challenging upcoming schedule. They are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder twice, before concluding the regular season against the Dallas Mavericks, Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers’ recent slide is a stark contrast to their position as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference following the acquisition of Luka Doncic. They have now lost eight games in March, bringing their overall record to 44-29, tied for fourth in the conference.
James’s return from a groin strain, which sidelined him for two weeks, has not yet reversed the team’s fortunes. Despite playing heavy minutes in his four games back, the Lakers have struggled. The team’s ability to recover and regain their earlier form remains uncertain.