The Los Angeles Lakers saw their six-game win streak snapped on Thursday night in a nail-biting 119-118 loss to the Orlando Magic. A game that seemed well within reach ultimately slipped away, and much of the blame has landed on superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

With less than four minutes left in the game and the Lakers up by three, the team faltered at the free-throw line, going a combined 2-of-8. Six of those attempts came from James and Davis, whose struggles from the stripe proved costly. Even shooting 50% from the line during that stretch could have secured the win. James finished the night shooting 2-of-4 on free throws, drawing criticism from fans and analysts alike.

LeBron’s Take: A Team Effort

However, LeBron rejected the notion that missed free throws were the sole reason for the loss. In a candid postgame interview, he pointed to the team’s performance—specifically the starting lineup—as the real culprit.

“It’s a 48-minute game,” James reminded reporters, emphasizing the Lakers’ poor showing in the third quarter. Orlando outscored L.A. 29-21 in that period, a critical stretch that saw the Lakers’ starting five struggle to maintain control.

The opening five minutes of the third quarter were particularly damaging, with the Magic going on a 13-3 scoring run to take the lead. Later in the quarter, Orlando added a 5-0 burst to widen the gap. The common denominator? LeBron, Davis, and Austin Reaves were on the floor for both of those key stretches.

A Team Loss, Not Just Free Throws

While the missed free throws in crunch time stand out, LeBron’s analysis highlights a broader issue: consistency. The Lakers’ starters couldn’t capitalize on their first-half momentum, and the third-quarter collapse proved just as costly as the late-game woes.

Austin Reaves, who also missed critical free throws late in the game, shared the floor with LeBron and Davis during the pivotal Orlando runs. The trio’s struggles during those moments underscore that the blame for the loss doesn’t rest solely on the late-game free throws but on the collective effort of the team.

Looking Ahead

Despite the disappointment, it’s worth noting the Lakers have been on a strong run, and losing after six straight wins isn’t the worst situation to be in. Games like these, filled with ups and downs, are part of the grind of an NBA season.

The team now has a couple of days to regroup before facing a tough challenge against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. For the Lakers to bounce back, everyone—from the starters to the bench—will need to elevate their game.

Lessons Learned

While the loss stings, it serves as a reminder of the importance of playing a complete 48-minute game. Whether it’s avoiding third-quarter collapses or hitting clutch free throws, the Lakers know what they need to fix moving forward.

LeBron and company have been here before, and their resilience will undoubtedly be tested again. Saturday’s matchup against Denver presents the perfect opportunity for redemption—and a chance to prove they’ve learned from Thursday’s missteps.