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LeBron James watched from the sidelines, wearing a red baseball cap, as the Los Angeles Lakersfaltered late against the Brooklyn Nets. With James out due to a groin injury, Luka Doncic was left to carry the load-but his frustration was as visible as the red on his face.
Doncic had a triple-double (22 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists), but it came with an inefficient 8-for-26 shooting night. Austin Reaves, expected to step up in LeBron's absence, struggled even more, missing his first eight shots and finishing 3-for-14. Despite their struggles, the Lakers were in position to win, but a late collapse sealed their fate in a 111-108 loss.
Without LeBron, the Lakers look lost
James' absence wasn't just felt on the scoreboard-it was in the energy, leadership, and execution. Head coach JJ Redick downplayed the idea that Doncic and Reaves needed to take on more responsibility, but the team's performance told a different story. The offense sputtered, particularly when Brooklyn turned up the defensive pressure.
"Not getting calls that you think you should get is frustrating, and not making shots is frustrating," Reaves itted postgame. But frustration doesn't win games.
Brooklyn, a team that had lost seven straight, took advantage of the Lakers' inconsistency. Noah Clowney led the Nets with 19 points, while Cameron Johnson added 18. The Lakers built a 15-point lead early but couldn't sustain it, falling victim to turnovers and poor shot selection.
Can the Lakers survive without LeBron?
James' injury is expected to sideline him for at least a week, leaving the Lakers with serious questions as they prepare to face Milwaukee and Denver. Doncic and Reaves will need to find their rhythm fast, or this losing skid could spiral.
Fans are already questioning Redick's approach, and with the Western Conference standings tightening, the Lakers can't afford more nights like this. The pressure is on, and the next few games will reveal just how much this team can handle without their leader on the floor.