The Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling this season and their playoff presence is in jeopardy.
The 17-time NBA champions are ninth in the West, at 28-37. Los Angeles is 1.5 games above the New Orleans Pelicans, who hold the final play-in spot (27-39).
The Lakers are struggling on both ends and have lost their last two games. Since the All-Star Break, they have won only once in seven matches. On Friday, they will seek to return to the winning track in the home game vs the Washigton Wizards (29-35).
Because of their current form, the Lakers are not very optimistic about a deep playoff run. Per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, several Lakers players don’t believe they can turn things around. They also think this is a wasted year and the franchise should focus on next season.
“Multiple conversations with staff members and players have included the some version of the phrase, “at least there’s only a month left” — not exactly the kind of message you hear from a group with realistic visions of playing until early summer,” Woike reports.
Photo: John Hefti / Associated Press
At the moment, the multiple time champions can’t hope for a better place than ninth in the West. The Clippers, currently eighth, are five games above them (35-34).
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold the seventh place, are 8.5 games above the Lakers (38-30).
With Anthony Davis out with injury, LeBron James is the only player that competes at the highest level every night.
The four-time NBA champion is averaging 29.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals this year. All other Lakers have experienced ups and downs since the start of the season.
Especially Russell Westbrook has seen himself in several trade scenarios and is expected to part ways with the Lakers in the offseason.
Despite its struggles, though, the franchise still has time to turn things around. With 17 games left in the regular season and Davis returning soon, they may be able to gain some momentum.
However, with such chemistry issues and several players not in good condition, a deep playoff run would be a miracle.
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