The Los Angeles Lakers’ six-game winning streak came to a crushing halt Tuesday night, falling 119-118 to the Orlando Magic in a game marked by dazzling star performances and agonizing late-game blunders. Anthony Davis and LeBron James delivered heroics that ultimately went to waste as missed free throws and defensive lapses opened the door for Orlando’s dramatic win.
Davis, in peak form, poured in 39 points while adding nine rebounds and three blocks, passing Lamar Odom for 20th on the Lakers’ all-time scoring list. Meanwhile, LeBron James turned back the clock, exploding for 31 points, including a scintillating 5-for-8 effort from beyond the arc, alongside 10 rebounds and seven assists. Yet, their brilliance was overshadowed by a haunting final 40 seconds in which the duo combined to shoot just 2-of-6 from the free-throw line.
The Lakers held a two-point lead with 20 seconds left when Davis stepped to the line. His two missed free throws set the stage for Franz Wagner, who coolly drained a game-winning three-pointer on the ensuing possession. Davis attempted to atone with a contested fadeaway as time expired but came up short, leaving Lakers fans stunned and frustrated.
Despite a promising showing from their supporting cast—Dalton Knecht chipped in 17 points, D’Angelo Russell dished out six assists, and Cam Reddish grabbed eight rebounds—the team’s struggles at the charity stripe proved costly. Los Angeles shot a dismal 17-of-26 from the line, a glaring weakness that loomed large in crunch time.
The game was a nail-biter throughout, with neither team able to establish a decisive lead. LeBron seemed poised to carry the Lakers to victory late in the fourth quarter, sinking three straight triples to build a seven-point cushion. But the Magic refused to go quietly, clawing back to set up Wagner’s dagger.
The Lakers now face a crucial test as they prepare to host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. With the defending champions looming, the Lakers must address their free-throw woes and find ways to close out tight games.