The Los Angeles Lakers‘ recent momentum was abruptly halted, first with a loss to the Boston Celtics, ending their eight-game winning streak, and then with a 111-108 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night. This second loss was particularly challenging, as the Lakers were without LeBron James, who is sidelined with a groin injury.
The Lakers started strong, building a 12-point lead in the first quarter, but the Nets responded with a 32-point second quarter. The Lakers’ roster was further depleted by the absence of Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith, leading to starting roles for Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, and Alex Len.
Luka Doncic Blames Refs For Los Angeles Lakers Loss
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with a triple-double, recording 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Gabe Vincent topped the Lakers’ scoring with 24 points. Following the game, Doncic expressed strong dissatisfaction with the officiating. “I’m not gonna say anything. But I think everybody saw the game so they know what happened,” Doncic said with a smirk. He was particularly critical of the free throw disparity, noting that the Lakers were called for 20 fouls compared to the Nets’ 16, and that Los Angeles only shot two free throws in the first half. “It wasn’t fair… but just gotta play the game. I gotta keep playing the game, but it was a lot,” Doncic said, per Luka Updates.
Doncic himself attempted only four free throws, his lowest total since a game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 19. The Lakers’ foul trouble also impacted their rotation, with Gabe Vincent and Trey Jemison III each committing four fouls, and Austin Reaves, Alex Len, and Jordan Goodwin each recording three. In contrast, the Nets had no players with four or more fouls, and only Ziaire Williams had three, further fueling Doncic’s frustration.
The Lakers will look to rebound on Thursday when they face the Milwaukee Bucks on the road.