One quarter into Monday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, it’s fair to say that things aren’t going swimmingly for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In fact, only one quarter into the game, the Lakers were left staring at a deficit of more than 20 points.
🔘⚪️⚪️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/qlh9Wr3TDR
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 15, 2022
Things have been rough for the Lakers in recent weeks, and given the starpower on the team, NBA fans normally have strong reactions when things don’t go well.
Monday was no different.
Raptors up 19-2 versus Lakers. Just stop the game now
— Matt Roast (@HeyMattRoast) March 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1503565317330673669
As bad as you might feel about things right now, Jazz fans, at least you're not the Lakers 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/b454AjfLKp
— tribjazz (@tribjazz) March 15, 2022
Say what now? https://t.co/zgHNWT9VXR
— Coach Yo (@YolettMcCuin) March 15, 2022
Are you not embarrassed? 🤣🤣 can’t wait to see @Rondo_gh and @GeraldCrack tweets 😹😹😹 https://t.co/2ZJElCfYWt
— BigBadWolf (@_Princesss_AJ) March 15, 2022
Them boys just don’t care anymore https://t.co/a96KBJsnc4
— Vlad (@slightwork352) March 15, 2022
Bro bout to fake some chest pains at halftime and bounce lol he ain't trying to be around for this😂 https://t.co/73jwQRvmAU pic.twitter.com/4txQiwGQLv
— Trying…. (@cfhell31) March 15, 2022
Summary of Lakers-Raptors… pic.twitter.com/TOGeS6D9Ib
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/1503567073737265153
After 1 quarter:
Raptors 33
Lakers 12 pic.twitter.com/ezNGpJwUYo— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 15, 2022
Bad games happen and bad quarters definitely happen. But the Lakers did something on Monday that had never happened in the near 43 full seasons that have taken place since the NBA added the three-point line.
Yesterday, the Lakers allowed 48 points in the 1st quarter, their most allowed in a 1st quarter in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).
Tonight, they scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and went 0-13 on 3-pt FG, the most 3-pt FGA without a make in a 1st quarter in NBA history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 15, 2022
But the Lakers fan base were told they signed 3-point shooters pic.twitter.com/rFjAdir8kN
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) March 15, 2022
And in the interest of fairness, things weren’t going any better for Los Angeles in the low post.
Raptors have a 33-12 first-quarter lead over the Lakers. Scottie Barnes (15 points) has outscored the Lakers, which have shot 3-of-25 from the field and 0-of-13 from deep. That's not all. Raptors have had 18 points in the paint.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) March 15, 2022
The good news is, in the second quarter, the Lakers finally made a three-point shot.
THE LAKERS MADE A 3!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/RmbArh9Kjo
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 15, 2022
Los Angeles entered Monday’s game 9-19 since January 9. On that day, the Lakers lost a game to snap a four-game winning streak, which had moved them to 21-19 on the season.
There have been some positive moments since, such as a win over the Golden State Warriors and another against the Washington Wizards. But judging by the surrounding moments, those were just a small oasis in a big desert.
Barring something dramatic, it’s going to be awfully hard to put a positive spin on this game.
