On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third straight loss. They couldn’t get a win against the Orlando Magic, who protected their home floor with a 118-106 win. For the Lakers, Luka Doncic took over with his 32 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 40% shooting from the three-point range. LeBron James helped out with his 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The Lakers controlled the game for most of the first half. However, things changed in the third and fourth quarters. The team trailed the game for 17 points and was trying to catch up with the Magic. The Orlando team had 20 fastbreak points, while Los Angeles only had 12.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick discussed the team’s struggles against Orlando. According to him, it all started with their defense and the Lakers’ inability to establish a rhythm.
“We’re going through it a little bit. We’re gonna get back to the flow and the rhythm.”
Redick also credited how the team appeared to be “tired” against the Magic.
"We weren't able to sustain the level of intensity we started the game with."
JJ Redick speaks with @LakersReporter and the media after tonight's loss to the Orlando Magic. Don't forget, catch live Lakers games on Spectrum SportsNet+ with the NBA app, on us!
🔗:… pic.twitter.com/AYR8dReoX0— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 25, 2025
“There’s, I think, a couple of guys, maybe from the schedule and being out of the lineup and a couple of guys getting injured,” Redick said. “I don’t know, we just loooked tired. I don’t know what contributes to that. That happens preiodically throughout the season where the group gets tired. That’s what it feels like right now. We weren’t able to sustain our level of intensity that we started the game with.”
The Lakers will look to snap their three-game losing streak on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. Los Angeles has played against Indiana once this season and secured a 124-117 victory.
Luka Doncic wants the Los Angeles Lakers to look back at how they played during their eight-game win streak
Doncic tried his best against the Magic but it resulted in an ugly loss. After the game, the Slovenian star talked about what the team could do differently to stop their losing skid. According to the 6-foot-6 star, the Los Angeles Lakers need to get back to how they played during their eight-game winning streak after the All-Star break.
“I think we just got to look back at the way we played at that 8-game winning streak,” Doncic said. “We were physical, we played hell of a defense. I think we just got a little bit satisfied. We can’t afford that right now.”
Luka Dončić: "I think we just got to look back at the way we played at that 8-game winning streak… I think we just got a little bit satisfied, we can't afford that right now." #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/YrorMZIQtE
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 25, 2025
During their losing streak, Doncic has only appeared in two games. In both instances, the five-time All-Star finished with at least 30 points. Offensively, the star guard has risen to the occasion but the defense of the Los Angeles Lakers needs to improve.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
