The Los Angeles Lakers lost to a stunning late shot from Josh Giddey, but they also have themselves to blame.
Josh Giddey’s dramatic half-court winner earned a dramatic victory for the Chicago Bulls, their fourth successive win.
It was the Bulls’ second win in a week over the LA Lakers, and this one came amid a dramatic late sequence.
Giddey’s game winner was spectacular, yet there was also a real sense the Lakers blew this game, and LeBron James‘ late turnover was a critical error.
James Worthy on LA Lakers loss
Showtime Lakers legend James Worthy was unhappy with the team’s lack of focus late in the 119-117 to the Chicago Bulls.
Speaking post-game on Spectrum, Worthy picked out LeBron James’ mistake as one of the keys to the defeat.
He said: “You just can’t be that damn careless at the end of a game, not protecting the basketball after you fought back. Austin Reaves hits that shot, and then Giddey hits that shot.
“I mean, LeBron, that inbounds pass was so careless. You just got to take care of the basketball.”
Worthy also criticized the Lakers lack of discipline in their defensive rotations, expressing exasperation with the team’s defeat
He pointed to a late corner three scored by the Bulls, with LeBron dragged out of position and too late to cover.
Worthy said: “I also did not like the rotation. Stay with your man until you know you don’t have to.”
He added: “When they look back at this one, man, it’s going to be a shameful loss.To me this might be the worst loss of the year
“This was just a bonehead loss, just a bonehead loss.”
LeBron James owned his mistake
Speaking post-game, LeBron James owned his mistake and admitted he got it wrong with the turnover.
He commented: “Horrible turnover by myself, bad miscommunication”, before praising Austin Reaves for still giving his team a chance to win, before Giddey’s late heroics.
The night before, LeBron James was the hero, with his tip-in buzzer beater against the Indiana Pacers sealing a 120-119 victory.
But that was the only win the Lakers have had in the last five, and a critical conference match-up lies ahead against the Memphis Grizzlies.
