Lakers Left Reeling: LeBron James Misses Buzzer, Luka Doncic Criticized

The Lakers closed an eight-game homestand with a 110-109 loss to the Magic after LeBron missed a buzzer three. Los Angeles went 4-4 at Crypto.com Arena. The final possession saw Luka Dončić pass up what looked like an open shot on the inbounds with 6.7 seconds left, leaving LeBron to try and create against Jonathan Isaac. Dončić finished 8-of-24 for 22 points with 15 assists and nine rebounds; LeBron scored 21 but had five turnovers. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 36, and the defeat dropped the Lakers to 34-23, sixth in the West. Merlin sees a team nudged by small errors more than by collapse. The defense held up, yet late-game chemistry and shot choice between two ball-dominant stars is the true puzzle. A day off gives space to reset, but consistency from Dončić and fewer LeBron turnovers must come quickly.