The Los Angeles Lakers lost their third straight game by double digits after falling to the Orlando Magic Monday night—a disappointing stretch for a team just three weeks out from the playoffs. Some fans and critics are beginning to panic after back-to-back losses to struggling Eastern Conference teams, Orlando and Chicago, following a blowout defeat by the Milwaukee Bucks.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins called out the Lakers’ lack of effort and overall disappointing play. He noted that while it’s not too late to turn things around, serious changes need to be made—not only by head coach JJ Redick but also by the players. He specifically highlighted Luka Doncic’s defensive struggles.
“Teams that are considered legit title contenders right now—their coaches are mixing it up a little bit,” Perkins said on NBA Countdown. “Right now, the Lakers look gross, okay? Especially defensively. And at some point—we’ve been hearing about JJ Redick—but the defensive effort that Luka has been putting forth has to be called out. He has to do better defensively. He has to bring that same energy that he does on the offensive side. He cannot be a liability because teams are going to target him—especially when you look at the athleticism around the league at the wing and guard positions.”
Doncic’s defense was a key reason the Dallas Mavericks decided to move on from him after he was consistently targeted during last year’s NBA Finals. If the Lakers don’t get back on track soon, they could slip into the play-in tournament. They’re currently tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for fifth in the West, with just four games separating the 3rd through 8th seeds in a tightly packed Western Conference race.
“Right now, the Lakers look gross… The defensive effort that [Luka Doncic] has put forth has to be called out. He has to do better.”
– Kendrick Perkins 😳
(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/M5joGxC7Uv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 25, 2025
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