The Los Angeles Lakers are 1-4 over their last five games and LeBron James believes the team is struggling for various reasons.
The Lakers dropped to 15-13 on the season after losing to the Chicago Bulls last night in Chicago.
“It’s a combination of everything,” LeBron said. “I mean, it’s the emotional fatigue, it’s the physical fatigue, it’s the grind-of-the-season fatigue. And when you’re not winning, obviously, that’s the frustration fatigue. So, a little combination of everything.”
The Lakers haven’t looked like a connected team since winning the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. They have lost to the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and Bulls. LA’s only win since Vegas came against the Spurs, a game LeBron didn’t play in.
All signs point toward the Lakers losing tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron has already been ruled out due to an ankle injury and Anthony Davis is listed as questionable. The Timberwolves are 20-6. They have the top record in the West. Minnesota will likely destroy Los Angeles at home.
LeBron, 38, is averaging 25.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists on the season while shooting 54.0% from the field, 39.2% from beyond the arc and 72.3% from the free-throw line. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer turns 39 on December 30.
The Lakers are in trouble. After the Timberwolves game, they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. Even if LeBron and Davis play in those games, Los Angeles will be underdogs since the group is playing lethargic basketball right now.