Lakers’ hot shooting not enough in 129-121 loss to Hawks

Russell Westbrook stood in his defensive stance whereas Trae Younger calmly bought able to assault – and that assault was coming quicker than the Lakers’ might’ve realized.

Younger rapidly launched a 3 pointer from properly behind the three-point line, the ball rattling across the rim earlier than falling by way of the ring – a becoming ending for the Lakers’ six-game roadtrip.

The Hawks, regardless of permitting the Lakers to attain at will for many of the sport, out-gunned them 129-121, capping the season-long journey with 4 losses in opposition to simply two wins (in opposition to Orlando and a very-undermanned Brooklyn).

Malik Monk, returning after lacking Friday’s sport in Charlotte, scored 33 with 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis, additionally again after lacking Friday, added 27 and Russell Westbrook scored 20 with seven rebounds and 12 assists. And nonetheless, one way or the other, it wasn’t ok, even with the Lakers making 54 p.c of their pictures.

Younger tortured the Lakers’ protection for many of the evening, however particularly late, carving up the coverages and leaving gamers like Davis visibly annoyed. Younger discovered ex-USC large man Onyeka Okongwu for a lob after which stepped again to hit jumpers, unfazed by regardless of the Lakers threw at him.

He completed with 36 factors and 12 assists.

The Lakers left for Orlando 11 days in the past on this journey, sure of actually just one factor. Win or lose, chaos or not, James would play properly.

Their journey ended with James already again in Los Angeles, his swollen knee holding him out of a third-straight sport leaving the Lakers short-handed of their shot at breaking even on this journey.

James had missed video games in Philadelphia and Charlotte earlier than returning to Los Angeles on Saturday. James underwent a MRI check on his knee, with Vogel saying the scan solely revealed normal swelling.

Vogel mentioned it’s a chance that James might play Wednesday in opposition to Portland if the swelling goes down, although he’ll endure additional examinations early this week.

“So long as the swelling is there, he’s going to be out,” Vogel mentioned. “And hopefully (we’ll) get him again as quickly as we will.”

Previous to the damage, James mentioned he was in among the finest offensive rhythms of his profession. He had scored at the very least 25 factors in 18-straight video games (17 with Davis injured). Over these 18 video games, James averaged 32.5 factors whereas making 54 p.c of his pictures.

On the season, James is taking pictures 52.2 p.c – his greatest field-goal share since becoming a member of the Lakers. He’s doing it on 20.9 pictures per sport – essentially the most he’s taken for a crew since 2007-08 when he was simply 23.

And whereas James has repeatedly maintained that his workload this season isn’t greater than he can deal with – his knee damage is the third separate ailment (ankle, stomach) to sideline him for a number of video games this season.

So whilst James has performed like a a lot youthful participant when he’s been on the ground, a number of the accidents recommend his age, 37, remains to be value contemplating.

“Yeah, I give it some thought day-after-day. We’re all the time aware of the load that he’s carrying, in fixed communication with him and the medical crew,” Vogel mentioned. “And by way of what we do going ahead with the knee and the place he’s at, it’s actually a heavy lean on the medical workers and (assistant athletic coach) Mike Mancias and what they really feel is greatest. It’s actually not a head coach factor as a lot as it’s counting on the medical crew.”

Sunday, the Lakers couldn’t depend on their offense for lengthy sufficient, the Hawks getting extra stops and making extra pictures to win their seventh sport in a row,

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