On February 25, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a narrow 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. The game turned in the final moments after Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. scored a putback, giving Orlando a one-point lead with 6.7 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, LeBron James passed to Luka Doncic, who opted not to shoot a 3-pointer despite being open. Instead, he dribbled closer but was double-teamed, leading to a pass back to James, who missed a fadeaway shot at the buzzer.
James expressed disappointment over the execution, stating he believed Doncic had a good look. Doncic noted his shooting struggles influenced his decision, admitting he shouldn’t have picked up the ball. The Lakers allowed a 12-point lead to slip away, highlighted by missed opportunities down the stretch, including a missed free throw by James. With the loss, the Lakers’ record fell to 4-4 on their current homestand. Center Deandre Ayton voiced frustration over the defeat but emphasized the need to regroup before facing the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors later in the week.
Source link
