Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James sustained the largest margin of defeat in his NBA career Monday night, losing 138-94 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Here’s what you need to know:
- After the 44-point loss, James told reporters “a lot” needs to change. “We just have to play better,” James said.
- When asked how the Lakers should react to the loss, James said, “I don’t know about the team — I can only speak for myself. I don’t like it.”
- James scored a team-high 18 points in 30 minutes but didn’t record a rebound, marking the fourth time in his career finishing with zero rebounds.
- Los Angeles dropped to 10-8 and 1-1 on its four-game road trip.
Final: Sixers 138, Lakers 94
LA drops to 10-8 and 1-1 on their four-game road trip. They lose by their largest margin this season (44). The Sixers were +45 at the 3PT line and +13 at the FT line. LeBron had 18 points. AD had 17 pts and 11 rebs.
Up next: at DET on Wednesday.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 28, 2023
76ers find 3-point rhythm
Both the Lakers and Sixers entered Monday’s contest as below-average 3-point shooting teams. But Philadelphia broke out against Los Angeles in a major way, making a season-high 22 3-pointers, including a season-best 13 in the first half.
The Sixers held a plus-45 margin at the 3-point line, arguably the key difference in the game from the Lakers’ perspective.
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“The 3-point line,” James told reporters. “We got killed on the 3-point line today.”
Los Angeles’ opponents have made more 3s than them in 14 of 18 games (they’ve tied their opponents in makes twice and outshot them twice). The Lakers are just 6-8 in those 14 games. Their 3-point shooting — an issue in every season of the LeBron-Anthony Davis era — has become a considerable concern that is holding them back from joining the top of the West standings. — Jovan Buha, Lakers beat writer
GO DEEPER
Lakers fail major test, suffer blowout loss to 76ers
Tipping point loss
The Lakers are a group that often looks at the glass half full. Coach Darvin Ham likes to refer to losses as “lessons.” James is unfazed by the regular season. Davis and Austin Reaves are self-aware and as self-critical as any players in their respective positions.
But Monday’s historic loss to the 76ers was a tipping point for the group. James, who is normally measured, turned short during his postgame media availability.
“What needs to change in order for that not to happen again?” James told reporters. “A lot.”
When asked for specifics, James declined.
“No,” he said. “A lot.”
Davis hinted at the team needing an honest, thorough film session. Reaves offered a similarly blunt assessment to James’.
“They beat the s— out of us,” Reaves said.
Los Angeles gets a much-needed palate cleanse in its next game Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons, who are 2-15 and have lost 14 games in a row. But this is the type of loss that will likely stick with the Lakers for a while — and potentially lead to grander changes within lineups and the rotation. — Buha
Backstory
James became the NBA’s all-time minutes leader Monday, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (66,300). Entering Monday, James averaged 25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game on 55.9 percent shooting from the floor.
Required reading
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)