Lakers hit new low in overtime loss to Western Conference-worst Rockets

How bad was it? Houston outscored the Lakers 19-10 in overtime to win by the score of 139-130. The Rockets shot 51% from the field while nailing 17 three-pointers and dishing out 25 assists.

Did we mention Houston entered the game with a 16-49 record and had lost 33 of its previous 41 games? Yeah, this is not a good team. At the very least, it’s not a squad that should be able to compete with Los Angeles. Alas, that’s where Frank Vogel’s team is at right now.

Returning from a one-game hiatus due to a knee injury, King James shot just 9-of-26 from the field. Los Angeles was actually paced by embattled point guard Russell Westbrook (30 points on 11-of-21 shooting).

However, it was the defensive end that lacked for the Lakers in their latest disastrous performance. Having struggled shooting the ball all season, rookie Jalen Green put up 31 points on 13-of-21 from the field. He also connected on 4-of-7 from distance.

With star big man Christian Wood sidelined, rookie Alperen Şengün scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Heck, rookie Josh Christopher dropped another 21 points off the bench. That’s 73 points from Houston’s three rookies.

It’s absolutely pathetic what these Los Angeles Lakers have devolved into. We’re talking about a team that’s now 7-18 in its past 25 games. Right now, the Lakers would be the 10th seed and facing single elimination in the play-in tournament against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In fact, Los Angeles faces the real possibility of missing out on the play-in tournament altogether (2.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers).

NBA world reacts to Los Angeles Lakers’ most recent embarrassing performance