Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) lays on the floor after committing a loose ball foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James starts 0-5 for the first time since rookie season

In his first professional season, LeBron James started 0-5. Now, in his 20th season, he's matched that dubious mark.

The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their fifth straight game to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 111-102. James had 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals in the losing effort, which saw Anthony Davis sitting out with lower back soreness and Russell Westbrook coming off the bench to score 18 points on 6-17 shooting.

It's the Lakers' worst start since they began the 2014-15 season 0-5, on their way to a 21-61 record. That team featured Kobe Bryant, alongside luminaries like Jeremy Lin, Wesley Johnson, and 33-year-old Carlos "Booz Cruise" Boozer.

The team shot 9-29 from three-point range, which actually improved their league-worst three-point shooting to 23.7 percent. The Lakers also had 22 turnovers, five by Westbrook.

With the team in turmoil, Davis hobbled, and Westbrook shooting 31 percent from the field, the Lakers will try to get in the win column with a four-game homestand that starts with a game against the Nuggets on Sunday - a team that beat them by 11 points two days ago. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant