Lakers fall to Magic: Doncic doubtful, LeBron misses at the end

Lakers fall to Magic after key play error

The Lakers suffered a defeat against the Orlando Magic with a final score of 110-109 this Tuesday, after a poorly executed sideline play in the final seconds prevented a quality shot. After Wendell Carter Jr.’s basket that gave the Magic the lead with 6.7 seconds remaining, the Lakers called a timeout. On the subsequent play, LeBron James passed the ball to Luka Doncic, who was open on the left wing, but chose not to shoot.

I know it was open, but I thought it was a little far. I tried to dribble closer. And I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and tried to attack.

Luka Doncic

Doncic, after stopping the dribble, was immediately guarded by Paolo Banchero and Anthony Black. Then, he turned and passed the ball to James, who was defended by Jonathan Isaac. James received the pass with 2.9 seconds remaining, turned and launched a jump shot from 27 feet that didn’t go in as the buzzer sounded.

I thought I had a good opportunity, and it seemed like he lost his balance. He had no rhythm with the ball, whatever it was. And that allowed Orlando’s defense to get back in front of him. And I was a little off balance when he passed it to me. I thought I had a great opportunity. That’s my perspective.

LeBron James

Doncic, with 8 of 24 in field goals and 2 of 10 in three-pointers, was asked if his shooting problems influenced his decision not to shoot initially.

Maybe a little. I think I thought there was more time left. There were, what, six, seven seconds? There was enough time to get a better opportunity, try to bounce the ball, that’s why I picked up the ball.

Luka Doncic

Doncic, who achieved 15 assists, his season high, said he thought James would have a good chance of winning by passing him the ball.

I just saw it open and I didn’t want to turn the ball over. We didn’t have any timeouts… But I shouldn’t have taken the ball. I should have attacked… That’s on me.

Luka Doncic

The sideline play was one of several missed opportunities that led the Lakers to squander a 12-point lead in the second half, suffering their first loss of the season after leading at the end of the third quarter (25-0). James missed a free throw with 44.7 seconds remaining that would have put the Lakers up by 3, and Desmond Bane hit a three-pointer on the next possession to give the Magic a one-point lead. After Banchero missed a jump shot with 10.5 seconds remaining and the Lakers up by one, the Lakers failed to secure the defensive rebound, leading to Carter’s basket that gave them the lead. The loss to Orlando left the Lakers’ record at 4-4 in their eight-game home series. Now they prepare to play against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, followed by the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. It’s a little annoying. We still have a lot of opportunities to put ourselves in the best possible position. It was weird in the home series, being 4-4. They were tough losses and we played against really good teams. But… just go back to the lab and prepare for the next game.