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Lakers catch random stray from EuroLeague coach

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Alex House, ClutchPoints | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 11:13 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers (50-29) are on hard times right now, as they try to maintain a top-four seed in the Western Conference without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Even if the team secures home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, LA will be unlikely to advance unless it gets dramatically healthier. Tensions are running high amid the mounting desperation. The Purple and Gold need a lucky break, but instead, they are catching strays from around the globe.

Following a 102-84 loss versus Valencia Basket in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague play, Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman made an interesting statement.

“Tonight, I believe that even if Valencia played against the Los Angeles Lakers, with this basketball they could beat them,” he said, per Eurohoops X account. Fans are surely shaking their heads in frustration.

Ergin Ataman: "I believe that even if Valencia played against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, with this basketball they could beat them"

https://t.co/PG0twvkoyO pic.twitter.com/8HlmKTIFrw

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) April 9, 2026

Ataman could have named several teams that are worse than the Lakers, even in their current state, so perhaps he was hyping up Valencia rather than taking a shot at LA. Either way, it does not exactly shine the squad in a good light.

The LeBron James-led Lakers would be expected to beat a non-NBA team, but that is not really relevant. A potentially successful campaign is now in an extremely fragile condition. Los Angeles had been competing at a high level since March, with Luka Doncic looking exceptionally dominant before suffering a hamstring strain.

Now, the Lakers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and are on the precipice of falling into fifth place. If this shorthanded group cannot find some answers soon, it will be stuck at home while Valencia pursues a EuroLeague title.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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