Lakers Fall to Nets in Upset, Dončić’s Triple-Double Not Enough

The Lakers’ post-Luka Dončić trade surge has hit a snag, with a 111-108 loss to the 12th-place Brooklyn Nets. This defeat follows a loss to the Celtics, marking a two-game skid for Los Angeles, who were playing without LeBron James due to a groin strain.

Despite a strong start, the Lakers relinquished their early lead, allowing the Nets to take control of the game. Luka Dončić’s triple-double (22 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists) and a late 3-pointer weren’t enough to secure a victory against the struggling Nets.

The Lakers’ defense faltered in the crucial final moments, allowing an uncontested dunk that sealed the Nets’ win. Dončić’s shooting efficiency was low, and Austin Reaves also struggled from the field despite a productive all-around effort. The Lakers’ rebounding deficit and Alex Len’s scoreless outing further contributed to their struggles.

Gabe Vincent (24 points) and rookie Dalton Knecht (19 points) stepped up in the absence of James and Rui Hachimura. However, Noah Clowney (19 points) and Cam and Keon Johnson (18 points each) led the Nets to victory.

This loss drops the Lakers to 40-23, while the Nuggets’ win over the Thunder puts them ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference standings. The Thunder maintain a significant lead in the conference, making the battle for second place and home-court advantage in the playoffs a key focus for the Lakers and Nuggets.