'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The LA Lakers suffered their second straight loss on Tuesday night after a 134-120 defeat to the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers will have to finish the season strong if they want to have better positioning in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Golden State took control of the game in the first quarter and never looked back. LeBron James did everything he could in the absence of Anthony Davis, but the Warriors were just too much. James finished with 33 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, while Austin Reaves added 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Davis missed the game due to headache and nausea, while James returned after a one-game absence. The regular season is about to conclude, so the Lakers need to stay healthy and keep it together.
Trending
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
LA Lakers Playoffs Picture: Standings
With their loss to the Golden State Warriors, the LA Lakers dropped to 45-35 for the season. They are ahead of the Warriors by just 0.5 games, which means they could fall to the No. 10 spot if they can't end the season on a high note.
The Lakers are also 0.5 games behind the No. 8 spot held by the Sacramento Kings. The NBA Play-In Tournament race will likely come down to the wire as the regular season winds down.
LA Lakers Playoffs Picture: Schedule
The LA Lakers have two games remaining on their regular-season schedule, both of which are on the road. The Lakers travel to the FedEx Forum on Friday to face the Memphis Grizzlies before finishing the season in Louisiana against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The first game is winnable, as the Grizzlies are seldom healthy and are already out of contention. The Pelicans will be tougher, though, as they have a better record despite their recent slump.
LA Lakers Playoffs Picture: Can they end the regular season on a high?
The LA Lakers will need to win the last two games of the regular season to at least have a better record than the Golden State Warriors. They will have homecourt advantage for the Play-In Tournament. The Lakers cannot afford a tie with the Warriors, as they don't own the tie-breaker against them.
Golden State has three more games, against the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans. The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, also face the Blazers and Pelicans, as well as the Phoenix Suns.
Warriors Nation! You can check out the latest Golden State Warriors Schedule and dive into the Warriors Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.
