The Lakers had a tumultuous season, but did not make the playoffs. There is a time and a place for it.
The pain of failing to even qualify for the play-in tournament was what ended the season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
L.A. is out of play-in contention with three games remaining in the regular season after Tuesday's 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers couldn't recover from the 35-22 third quarter that Phoenix blew the game open. The Suns wanted the chance to bury the Lakers after Anthony Davis suggested last month that Phoenix's 2021 playoff win over L.A. was a done deal.
It was just another rough night for the Lakers and their fans would forget about it.
L.A.'s new-look Big Three of James, Davis and Westbrook combined to play just 21 games together this season because of injuries. The Lakers went 11-10 in those games.
James sat out for the fourth time in the past five games because of his left ankle injury, which was bothering him. He missed his 23rd game of the season. Nunn, who has a bone bruise in his right knee and is out for the rest of the season, joined James on the visitors bench in street clothes.
Davis, who missed six weeks with a right mid-foot injury, was also dealing with a foot problem that has hampered him since his return, according to Lakers coach Frank Vogel.
There was a rash of poor health that led to a ridiculous number of different players playing for L.A. at some point this season. As he tried out 39 different starting lineups through Tuesday, he had no choice but to constantly change them.
A team picked to win 52.5 games in the preseason by BetMGM Sportsbook and a top favorite to win it all was eliminated from play-in tournament contention by losing its seventh straight game.
The longest losing streak of the season is by the Lakers, while San Antonio won for the seventh time in its past eight games to guarantee it will be at least the 10-seed in the play-in. The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Kings 123-109 on Tuesday night in order to get into the playoffs.
Los Angeles has not won consecutive games since January, when it beat Atlanta and Sacramento at home.
By the time the Lakers and Suns tipped off Tuesday night, the Spurs held a seven-point lead over Denver, putting L.A.'s elimination scenario in place. The Lakers held a 42-39 lead over the Suns midway through the second quarter when San Antonio put the finishing touches on its win.
The Lakers have a lot of questions to answer after the loss. Will he keep his job? Is there a change in the front office? Can the Lakers find a trade partner for Westbrook? Will James sign a contract extension to stay in L.A. beyond his 20th season in the league?
James showed his support for the franchise through his attire Tuesday. He wore a white T-shirt withLake Show printed on the front in purple and gold lettering with caricatures of Laker legends.
The Lakers didn't make the cut.
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