Lakers’ Week 11 in review: Four losses
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant protects the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant during a game at Staples Center on Dec. 23, 2015.
The Lakers lost all four games played through Week 11, falling to 8-31 on the season.
On Tuesday, the Lakers faced the current NBA champions and were blown out by the Golden State Warriors, 109-88, ending the Lakers’ three-game winning streak.
Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and D’Angelo Russell (sore throat) missed the Warriors matchup.
The team also had to work through a difference of opinion between Coach Byron Scott and second-year forward Julius Randle. Scott said he and Randle have a “great relationship.”
General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he really likes Scott’s tough-love style with the franchise’s young players.
With the Lakers trying to find balance between celebrating Bryant’s final season and developing the team’s prospects, has Bryant gone soft?
Regardless of the answer, the fans want Bryant to start the All-Star Game, with the veteran outpacing the NBA’s young stars in the voting.
Bryant and Russell were able to play on Thursday in Sacramento against the vulnerable Kings.
After falling behind significantly, the Lakers’ furious rally fell short.
Russell sprained his ankle while scoring his career high of 27 points against the Kings. Though he tried to play on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he only lasted about eight minutes.
Veteran Lou Williams scored a career-high 44 points but the Lakers still fell, 117-113.
The Lakers had a shot to beat the Thunder, but Bryant’s late attempt was well-guarded by Kevin Durant -- although Bryant disagreed, claiming Durant fouled him.
The team finished the week without Bryant (Achilles) and Russell (ankle), falling to the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, 86-74 -- in a game for which the Lakers only had 10 players available.
The Lakers guaranteed the contracts of Metta World Peace, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas -- locking in a full roster of 15 players.
The Lakers aren’t sure which of Bryant’s two career numbers to retire.
James Worthy sold his Bel-Air home for about $2 million.
The ratings for Lakers game broadcasts on Time Warner Cable SportsNet continue to dip to historic lows.
A fan hit a half-court shot to win $95,000.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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