It’s becoming increasingly difficult-bordering on impossible to trust a team that beats up on bottom-feeders but folds the moment a true contender enters the building. That is the frustrating reality for the 2026 Los Angeles Lakers. While their 34-22 record suggests they are a heading for the postseason, their lack of consistency against elite competition is alarming.
The most recent evidence was a painful 111-89 shellacking at home by the Boston Celtics. Even more embarrassing? The Celtics did it without Jayson Tatum, like they have done all year. Boston remains a juggernaut in the East, sitting comfortably in second place, but for the Lakers, this wasn’t just a loss-it was a statement on their current ceiling.
The Lakers’ Blowout Problem is a Statistical Nightmare
The Lakers aren’t the only ones struggling with consistency, but they are in very strange company. This season, only a handful of teams, the Thunder, Pistons, Spurs, and even the Celtics, have proven they can step on the floor any given night and beat anyone.
The Lakers like to think they belong in the tier with the Nuggets, Knicks, and Cavaliers, but the numbers tell a much darker story. Despite their winning record, the Lakers have actually allowed more points than they’ve scored this season.
The reason for this is “grotesque.” You’ll see what I mean when you realize that when the Lakers lose, they don’t just lose, they get annihilated. They currently rank second in the NBA in average point differential in losses at a staggering -17.41, trailing only the lowly Washington Wizards (-18.48).
Look at this list of the worst five teams in this category and you’ll see the odd man out immediately:
- Wizards (16-10 record): -18.48
- Lakers (34-22): -17.41
- Nets (15-41): -15.98
- Kings (12-46): -15.89
- Jazz (18-39): -15.56
Every other team on that list is tanking for a top draft pick. The Lakers, meanwhile, are supposed to be title favorites with a core of LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Coach JJ Redick has to be losing sleep over these figures; the moment a game starts to slip away, the Lakers seem to lose their spirit, turning competitive contests into total massacres.
Can the Lakers Secure Home Court Before April?
The Lakers are staring down a brutal end to February that will test their resolve. It starts with a home game against the Magic, followed by a treacherous two-game road trip against the Suns and Warriors, two teams currently breathing down their necks in the Western Conference standings.
If the Lakers can’t find a defensive response in those matchups, they could see their standing slip significantly before the calendar even turns to March.
The silver lining? After this road trip, the Lakers return to the Crypto.com Arena to play seven of their next eight games at home. This is the stretch where they must prove they can beat the elite. LeBron knows the clock is ticking, and having Luka by his side won’t matter if the supporting cast continues to check out early during tough games.
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