LeBron James admits Lakers going through 'rough patch' following third straight loss

“Just stay together, stay together,” he said.

“We know we’re in a rough patch right now with guys coming back from injury, with guys in and out of protocol. Guys that’s injured. So, let’s just stay together until we come whole, or as close to whole as possible. Obviously, we got a lot of guys out right now. But, I loved our fight, I thought we had a good fight tonight. We just couldn’t make enough plays.”

James, for his part, did make enough plays. He finished with 34 points on 13-of-19 shooting and seven boards in 34 minutes of action. Unfortunately, he just didn’t get much help.

As usual, Russell Westbrook spent the majority of the game throwing the ball to the other team. He ended the night with seven turnovers.

Obviously, the Lakers are hampered by injuries and COVID-related absences. Avery Bradley, Kent Bazemore, Austin Reaves, Kendrick Nunn, Malik Monk and Anthony Davis are all out, as is head coach Frank Vogel. But they weren’t even particularly good prior to losing all those guys.

L.A. has had conversations with two teams about a Westbrook trade. There has also been some loose talk about dealing away Davis in a last-ditch effort to salvage James’ remaining years in the NBA.

And then of course the Myles Turner chatter continues to percolate.

But short of one of those three things actually coming to fruition, it feels like things are going to get much worse for the Lakers before there’s any chance of them getting better.