LeBron James and the Lakers trailed the Suns by 30 points at halftime of Game 5. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NBA world reacts to disastrous first-half performance by Lakers

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 6/1/21

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers knew that they were going to have a rough go at it without Anthony Davis in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.

With the series tied at two, this game took on even more significance in Phoenix. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they were not up to the task in the first half.

Phoenix led, 34-26, after the first 12 minutes. Devin Booker and Co. then went on to outscore the Lakers 32-10 in the second quarter en route to heading into halftime with an eye-opening 66-36 lead.

LeBron James scored just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting with three turnovers for the Los Angeles Lakers in the first 24 minutes. He also failed to get back on defense multiple times, leading to questions about just how into the game King James was.

Los Angeles shot 31% from the field while turning the ball over seven times in the first half. As for the Suns, Booker led all scorers with 22 points at halftime. Obviously, those watching the game from home had their reactions to Los Angeles’ brutal first-half performance.

Lakers lost the second quarter by 22 points. Ties the fourth-worst margin in franchise playoff history for any quarter.

It's the most lopsided quarter against any LeBron James team in his playoff history.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 2, 2021

The Lakers trail by 30 points at halftime.

That's the largest halftime deficit for a LeBron James team in his playoff career.

It's also the Lakers largest halftime deficit in a playoff game since 1992. pic.twitter.com/v4wY65Qp1W
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 2, 2021

Booker and Payne have as many points as the Lakers in the first half. Lol
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) June 2, 2021

It's looking like the Lakers are going to have to win a Game 6 at Staples and … a Game 7 at Phoenix. They'd better hope AD gets healthy enough to play in 7.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 2, 2021

The Lakers only had 10 points in the 2nd quarter. With such a stacked team, this is inexcusable – with or without AD. Damn. Ugliness.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) June 2, 2021