The Los Angeles Lakers have welcomed back their entire roster, but their defensive struggles hinder their performance. Whether due to fatigue or structural issues, the team has surrendered an average of 123 points per game in their last seven losses. Their latest setback, a 118-106 defeat to the Orlando Magic, showcased their ongoing defensive shortcomings.
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Defensive Breakdown Despite Key Players’ Return
Expectations were high for the Lakers’ defensive improvement with the return of LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. However, their struggles persisted as they failed to contain Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, who dominated the second half.
“We need to revisit the intensity we had during our eight-game winning streak,” said Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 32 points. “We may have become too complacent, and that’s a risk we can’t take.”
James rejoined the lineup after missing seven games due to a groin strain, while Hachimura returned after sitting out 12 games with a knee injury. Despite their presence, the Lakers suffered a 146-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls before falling to the Magic.
Fatigue and Lack of Defensive Energy
Lakers head coach JJ Redick pointed to exhaustion as a possible factor in the team’s defensive lapses.
“Some guys look fatigued, whether from the schedule or returning from injury,” Redick noted. “That’s common in a long season. We started strong but couldn’t sustain that defensive intensity.”
After acquiring Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks on February 2, the Lakers surged with an eight-game winning streak. However, injuries, particularly to James, have disrupted their rhythm. Since then, they have lost seven of their last ten games, exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Communication and Defensive Cohesion Are Key
Redick stressed the importance of defensive communication and regaining cohesion.
“We need to return to our identity,” he explained. “Due to limited practice time, we’ve focused more on rest than defensive drills, leading to bad habits. That has caught up with us.”
Redick also acknowledged the unusual nature of this phase of the season. “We gave up 81 points in one half to the Bulls and had our worst defensive game when fully healthy. That’s disappointing.”
Orlando’s Stars Expose Lakers’ Defensive Flaws
Wagner and Banchero capitalized on the Lakers’ defensive shortcomings, scoring 32 and 30 points, respectively. They quickly found their preferred spots and executed efficiently, leaving the Lakers struggling to contain them.
“This team is built around those two players, and shutting them down is a real challenge,” Doncic acknowledged. “We started strong on defense, but they made some tough shots. We have to sustain that effort for all 48 minutes.”
Despite being the lowest-scoring team in the NBA, the Magic shot an impressive 49.4% from the field (42-for-85) and committed just nine turnovers. Meanwhile, the Lakers managed only one blocked shot throughout the game, highlighting their defensive inefficiencies.
Urgent Need for Defensive Adjustments
“Allowing 118 points isn’t acceptable in today’s NBA,” Austin Reaves said. “We need to get better, particularly when it comes to our switching.”
Dorian Finney-Smith echoed the need for accountability. “In the third quarter, we allowed our offense to influence our defense.” That’s on us. We need to hold each other accountable and put together a full 48-minute effort.”
Looking Ahead: Defensive Adjustments Are Crucial
To reclaim their early-season dominance, the Lakers must address their defensive inconsistencies. With the playoffs approaching, tightening their defensive schemes and maintaining intensity for an entire game is essential. If adjustments aren’t made soon, their championship hopes could quickly fade.
