The Lakers fell to their 7th loss in 10 games last night in Orlando, continuing a troubling slump that could jeopardize their playoff hopes. After finding rhythm with Luka Dončić’s arrival in February, the team has faltered, and Dončić believes it’s now up to him and LeBron James to turn things around.
Recent performances have raised alarms, and the 118-106 loss to the Magic confirmed the crisis facing head coach JJ Redick’s squad. In these 7 losses, the Lakers have endured an average deficit of 15.7 points, highlighting blowouts rather than close games.
A few weeks ago, the Lakers surged to second place in the Western Conference. Now they’re in fourth, with just 11 games left and a slim cushion over the seventh-seeded Clippers, leaving their playoff position highly uncertain
Third-Quarter Collapse Sinks Lakers in Orlando
Against the Magic, the Lakers started well and even led 60-58 at halftime. But things unraveled quickly in the third quarter. Orlando came out strong, outscoring the Lakers 34-18 in the period. The Lakers’ defense had no answers, and the offense struggled to keep pace.
Franz Wagner led the charge for Orlando with a stellar 32-point performance, along with 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Paolo Banchero chipped in with 30 points and 7 boards, while rookie Anthony Black gave the Magic a spark off the bench with 17 points. Their combined efforts handed Orlando a statement win—and snapped a six-game home losing streak.
For the Lakers, Dončić finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, but shot just 9-of-23 from the field. LeBron James added 24 points and 8 assists. Outside of the two stars, however, the support was minimal. The bench contributed only 14 points, and defensive breakdowns in key moments proved costly.
Dončić Owns the Moment, Eyes Strong Finish
After the loss, Dončić was blunt about where the team stands.
“I think we felt a little satisfied, and right now we can’t afford that,” he said, acknowledging the team’s recent drop-off. He also didn’t hesitate to take responsibility: “I think it’s up to me and LeBron to lift up the team. I, for one, have to do better—I need to be more communicative and talk more with my teammates on the court.”
The Lakers now face three more road games—against Indiana, Chicago, and Memphis—before returning home. With the Western Conference standings tightly packed, every game carries serious weight. If the Lakers hope to secure a favorable playoff position, they’ll need more than just big performances from Dončić and LeBron—they’ll need unity, energy, and urgency.
