LeBron James insists he won't give up on Lakers' season

The 10th defeat in the past 13 games dropped the Lakers just two games away from falling out of the play-in tournament.

He said after the Mavs finished on a 15-4 run in the final 7 minutes to win it that they still have games to play. That is my confidence.

James, who has missed 17 games this season because of various injuries and most recently sat out five games from late January through early February with swelling in his left knee, has no plans to shut his season down at any point, sources close to James told ESPN. James wants to play out the season.

In his first season with the Lakers, James sat out nine of the final 14 games due to a groin injury.

Before the All-Star break, James was asked about the status of his knee and said that he would need more time to recover.

He said that the only way it would be back to full strength was with rest. It will wait until the offseason.

The Lakers were booed off the court by the home crowd after their worst loss of the season, a 28-point defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers had a lot of problems against Dallas, but they looked better.

They fell down by as many as 21 points in the first half, a theme of theirs, and Russell Westbrook struggled, shooting 5-for-17 from the field. Since training camp, the team has been plagued by the troubles of Westbrook.

"Got to be better overall, I don't think I'm doing enough right now." It isn't good enough.

L.A. still has more to offer, according to Westbrook.

I have faith in this group, like I always have. We can play the best teams. Nobody we have to play is not worrying me. We have beaten the best teams and lost to some of the worst teams. Our confidence and my confidence in this group is very high because I know what we can do when we put our mind to it and do exactly what we need to do on a night-in, night-out basis.

The Lakers are two games up on the 10th place New Orleans Hornets.

We have to come in here and win ballgames, and we have to play better. James said that they should have a chance if they have more games to play. I don't like losing. I feel bad. Tomorrow is a new day and I will be ready for the Clippers on Thursday. That is my mindset. That is just who I am.