Isaiah Thomas: Lakers ‘Don’t Know How To Win Yet’
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers followed a familiar pattern against the Orlando Magic for a third consecutive game. They fell behind early, fought their way back from a deficit, and were in position to win come the fourth quarter.

It worked against the San Antonio Spurs, but the Lakers were unable to hold off Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. They again were on the verge of blowing another late lead, saved only by Brook Lopez’s clutch free throws, and an assist from a “clock malfunction” that prevented the Magic from a potential final shot attempt.

Lopez’s free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining with the only points the Lakers scored over the final two minutes of the game in their 108-107 victory. They led by as many as 12 points in the quarter.

“We don’t know how to win yet,” Isaiah Thomas said of the recent growing pains. “We have a young group, we’re not executing the way we need to down the stretch. These guys, half of them are 20 years old. They don’t know how to win an NBA basketball game.”

The Lakers had shown improvement in closing games out, which factored into their recent, season-best five-game winning streak, and nine-game home winning streak. But head coach Luke Walton believes his team has been plagued by taking a sigh of relief.

“It felt like we started playing as if we had won the game. Teams in the NBA, they’re going to go on a run and they get dangerous when they’re in survivor mode. Players in this league are too good,” he said.

“There’s a certain time, where score and how much time is left in the game, where we’re OK with giving up contested twos and we don’t want to double anymore. We were in our normal defensive principles, and [Orlando] hit a couple threes, which got it close. That was on [the coaching staff] to get that information to them sooner than that.”

Walton’s belief was shared by Lonzo Ball, who said the Lakers “get relaxed” after jumping out to a comfortable lead. While he doesn’t believe they are there just yet, Thomas is confident the Lakers will shake free from the struggles of protecting a lead.

“It’s the experience, continue to play through the ups and downs of a long season, continue to learn how to win. That just has to do with experience,” he said. “It will definitely come. We’ve got to do a better job of taking care of the ball, getting a shot every time, and just executing. If we execute, we’ll be a lot better.”

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Five Candidates Could Start In Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s Place During Suspension

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton named the five candidates that could start in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s place while he is suspended…

Road to 3-Peat: Top 5 Spoilers

All roads lead to Lakers three-peat. That being said, basketball is incredibly…

Metta World Peace Says Lakers’ Grammy Trip “Not Successful”

After a comeback win against the Charlotte Bobcats which “irritated” Kobe Bryant,…

Rob Pelinka Reiterates Lakers Will Hold Open Competition To Fill Out Starting Lineup Behind LeBron James

With the additions of Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson to the young core of Brandon Ingram, Kyle…