Part 2/9:
Before their recent game against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers experienced a shocking downturn, suffering losses by an average of 35 points over two games. A particularly embarrassing moment came when they lost to a single opponent by 41 points, prompting former Laker great Magic Johnson to publicly criticize their performance. What’s more disheartening is the realization that this degree of futility is not what Laker fans expect or accept as "Lakers basketball."
The weight of expectations hung heavily over the Lakers as they entered their matchup against the Hawks. Despite being the more talented team, the pressure mounted from previous humiliating losses, igniting the desire for a turnaround.