The Los Angeles Lakers have lost back-to-back road games against the 20-27 Atlanta Hawks and the 22-24 Houston Rockets, of course with Dillion Brooks up to his usual antics. Christian Wood may have just fired a shot at head coach Darvin Ham with a post before playing against the Atlanta Hawks, and LeBron James continued to stir the pot after the crushing loss.
Los Angeles Lakers Routed by Rockets Rookie
The Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 135-119 on January 29th, 2024. The Rockets had a season-high 78 points in the first half against the Lakers. With four minutes left in the 1st quarter, the Rockets proceeded to go on a 16-6 run. Cam Whitmore, the 20th pick in the 2023 draft, one selection after Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino, went on a 12-2 run by himself after entering the game for Dillon Brooks. Lakers coach Darvin Ham had high praise for the Rockets rookie, who is currently averaging 11 points per game on 48% shooting from the field this season.
“Just another bright superstar that is going to be in our league a long time,” said Los Angeles Lakers HC Darvin Ham about Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/WjkLksafvb
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 30, 2024
Jarred Vanderbilt was ejected in the second quarter after an altercation with Houston Rockets wing Dillion Brooks. Brooks not only successfully irritated multiple Lakers players but also added 17 points. Vanderbilt was responding to a previous foul by Brooks moments earlier. Brooks made contact, pushing Vanderbilt on his back as he went up for a dunk. Brooks’ antics continued in the fourth quarter, with a hard foul by Brooks to LeBron James, which resulted in a flagrant 1. After the game, LeBron responded, “Next question,” when asked about Dillion Brooks. Davis, however, was not shy when asked about Brooks after the game.
Anthony Davis said he believed Dillon Brooks should have been ejected first for his run-in with Jarred Vanderbilt and later for his hit on LeBron James. The Rockets forward wasn’t disqualified for either sequence pic.twitter.com/5KMtehVVYj
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 30, 2024
Christian Wood Posted on X & Russell Has Poor Performance
Lol
— 35 (@Chriswood_5) January 31, 2024
Before the Lakers took on the Atlanta Hawks on January 30th, 2024, the Lakers announced that the starters for the Lakers would be D’Angelo Russell, Reaves, Prince, James, and Hayes, starting in place of the injured Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis was out for the game due to a groin injury in the double overtime win against the Golden State Warriors. During the Laker’s loss to the Houston Rockets, Davis said that his groin injury flared up, and he couldn’t move how he’s accustomed to on either end of the court. Immediately after this and just 20 minutes before tip-off, Lakers power forward/center Christian Wood posted on X/Twitter. This is an obvious shot at Darvin Ham for not adding Wood to the starting lineup. Wood started the second quarter with an excellent back cut, leading to a dunk after LeBron threw a dime out of a double team from the post. Wood finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds for the Lakers in the 138-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
“WE DONT WANT YOU.”
Hawks fans chant at Dlo during lakers game.pic.twitter.com/677LdnEPvn
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) January 31, 2024
The Lakers shot an abysmal 14 for 25 at the free throw line in the game, but D’Angelo Russell would go on to make both free throws but had a brutal first half with only four points. Russell only had nine points on the night with five assists and two turnovers. On the other hand, Austin Reaves had his season high in scoring with 28 points on the night and six assists. LeBron would finish the game with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Trae Young had a double-double on the night, dropping 26 points and dishing out 13 assists. Dejounte Murray, rumored to be traded for D’Angelo Russell, added 24 points and nine assists for the Hawks in the blowout win over the Lakers.
LeBron Posts After Back-to-Back Blowout Loses
⌛️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 31, 2024
The Lakers have fallen to 24-25 on the season, with a challenging game against the Celtics coming up on Thursday, February 4th, 2024. To make matters even worse LeBron posted this at nearly midnight after a post game interview in which he said “I don’t have any message for my teammates. Just go out and do your job.” With the trade deadline coming quickly LeBron James the leader of the is franchise putting pressure on Jeanie Buss whether that be firing Darvin Ham or shaking up the roster, one thing is sure: with the Lakers, changes are coming, and they will be coming quickly.
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