Crowd turns on LeBron James as Los Angeles Lakers suffer embarrassing defeat

LeBron James was booed by his home fans as the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heavy loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Michael Owens/Getty Images/AFP

The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered a heavy 123-95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday AEDT, with superstar LeBron James booed by home fans.

Two years after lifting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, the Lakers are at risk of missing out on the NBA Playoffs after their season record slipped to 27-33.

It was the ninth loss from their last 12 games.

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The 2020 champions currently sit ninth in the Western Conference, just ahead of New Orleans and the Portland Trail Blazers in 10th and 11th respectively. Only the top 10 teams qualify for the play-in.

The Pelicans obliterated their rivals in a humiliating 44-25 third quarter, highlighted by a James turnover that drew a fiery reaction from the Los Angeles spectators.

James and teammate Russell Westbrook registered seven turnovers each in the first three quarters.

Lakers fans booing LeBron after this turnover 😯 pic.twitter.com/KfcYGso6UE

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 28, 2022

LeBron just got booed at home for yet another careless turnover. Pels by 25.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 28, 2022

James finished with 32 points and six rebounds, while Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram impressed with 19 points and eight assists.

It was James’ 500th career 30-point game — only Wilt Chamberlain (515) and Michael Jordan (562) boast more in NBA history.

Former New York Times and ESPN writer Marc Stein tweeted: “(Brandon) Ingram is just GIVING it to the Lakers. Goodness. No spirit or fight out there from the home team.

“Gotta factor in the injuries but man … it is astonishing to see a LeBron James team this punchless.

“He’s never had less help and never needed more.”

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Earlier this week, James moved to damp down speculation about his future, saying he wants to remain with the Lakers for the remainder of his career.

The 37-year-old triggered speculation he could leave the Lakers during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, telling The Athletic website that he hoped to finish his career playing alongside his son Bronny, a promising high-school player.

“My last year will be played with my son,” James said. “Wherever Bronny is at, there’s where I’ll be.

“I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

But speaking after the Lakers’ defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday AEDT, James insisted he had no intention of leaving the 17-time NBA champions.

“This is a franchise I see myself being with. I’m here. I’m here,” he told reporters.

“I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play.”

James has one more year on his contract and will qualify for a two-year extension later this year.

The four-time NBA champion however that he hopes to play long enough to partner with his son in Los Angeles.

“I also have a goal, if it’s possible — I don’t even know if it’s possible — that if I can play with my son, I would love to do that,” he said.

“That’s like the coolest thing that could possibly happen. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with this franchise.”

The Lakers will next face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, with tip-off scheduled for 2pm AEDT.

— with AFP

Originally published as Crowd turns on LeBron James as Los Angeles Lakers suffer embarrassing defeat