Jan. 10, 2026, 11:00 a.m. PT
The Los Angeles Lakers have had their issues over the last five or six weeks, but they seem to have shown some meaningful improvement over their last several games, especially on the defensive end. However, they have now lost two games in a row.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, 105-101, on Friday. It was a unique loss for the Lakers because it was their first one this season by a single-digit margin. Previously, the lowest margin they had in a loss this season was 13 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 10.
Los Angeles has also been outstanding in what the NBA defines as “clutch” games — games when the score differential is five points or fewer in the final five minutes. In fact, Friday’s defeat was its very first this season in such a contest after it had won all 13 previous games that fit that criteria.
While the Lakers have almost always lost by a sizable margin this season, this stat also shows they have taken care of business very well in games that have been competitive down the stretch. That is one trait that all good and great teams in every sport possess.
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