USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being ejected from the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 123-115. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after being ejected from the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 123-115. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have done the unthinkable against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. After blowing a 26-point lead in their last loss against them, tonight they did something similar. They let go of a 19-point lead to slump to their fourth defeat of the season, once again against the Thunder.
The young Thunder team have had just two wins so far, while losing six games. And both of those wins have come against the Lakers, who didn’t have LeBron James tonight as well. Bron was on the bench during their previous loss vs OKC too, and his absence once again led to the loss.
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Lakers fans on Twitter were enraged after seeing their team play so poorly. Entering the season as a title favorite, they have looked far from that status so far. And tonight’s result only makes it worse. A lot of the anger on Twitter was aimed towards Russell Westbrook. Despite an overall good game, he had two bad plays in the final minute which cost them the game. And fans were not too kind to him for that.
The Russell Westbrook experience:
— 27 points
— 6 rebounds
— 5 assists
— A late turnover
— Inexplicably leaving his man for dagger layup
— A missed game-winning three pic.twitter.com/fayXeN0ax4— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 5, 2021
#Westbrick #LakersNation #NBA 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/gjqHwok8jl
— DjMajesty (@DjMajesty01) November 5, 2021
Westbrick gonna stick forever.
— MP. (@Suprememp) November 5, 2021
I already knew it was an L when Westbrick was pulling up for a 3 in the end.
— Steezo (@DivineTho) November 5, 2021
Westbrick strikes again
— Skip's Burner (@thenba_tweeters) November 5, 2021
They got Westbrick trending 😭😭
— Jose (@JAngelitoo) November 5, 2021
Im bout one bad shot away from saying we need to trade Russ 😂
— Sliky Johnson (@_chrisytheblack) November 5, 2021
Everybody knew that except Russ lmaooo https://t.co/Iq3lL2AITe
— Niko (@nikotaughtyou) November 5, 2021
RUSS FOR THE TIE!!! pic.twitter.com/wrVXenifpZ
— 🇸🇴 (@sanitycuhh) November 5, 2021
that ball thrown out of bounds & last shot by russ say other wise 🤣👎🏼 https://t.co/ZY1cRWZnha
— lani (6-1) (@poolesznn) November 5, 2021
Can the Lakers learn to cope without LeBron James?
In their win vs Rockets, LeBron James had a vintage performance. Despite being 36, he bullied the young Rockets to lead the team to the win. Fans hoped he would be able to carry that momentum into tonight’s game. However, just hours before the game, the Lakers announced that LeBron will be out for a week with an abdominal strain.
So the pressure was once again on Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, who are more than capable to lead the team. Unfortunately, they were unable to do yet again. Westbrook had a crucial late turnover and also missed the game-tying three while Davis was a shadow of himself in the fourth quarter.
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With LeBron turning 37 next month, the Lakers will be seeing less of him in the regular season at least. So they need to step up in his absence and allow him to be at 100% for the playoffs. If they are unable to do so, it could be a worrying season for Lakers fans.
READ MORE- WATCH: Lakers Game Witnesses Ugly Scenes As Carmelo Anthony and OKC Player Get Into a Fight
