Jake LaRavia Urges Lakers to Put Blowout Behind Them
jake-laravia-urges-lakers-to-put-blowout-behind-them
The Los Angeles Lakers absorbed a lopsided defeat Thursday night, falling to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder from the opening tip at Paycom Center. After the 2 April setback, forward Jake LaRavia said the team cannot linger on the loss.
“We had to set the tone, be the more physical team and play together,” LaRavia told Spectrum SportsNet. “We started the game with a lot of turnovers and they scored on almost every one.” The 24-year-old added that he botched the club’s first play, acknowledging, “I’ve got to be held accountable for that.”
Oklahoma City capitalized on Los Angeles’ early mistakes and never trailed, repeating a pattern established in the teams’ previous meeting in November. LaRavia said no extensive post-game lecture was needed. “We all knew what it was early—our execution on defense and offense just wasn’t there.”
Thursday’s rout came with star guard Luka Doncic sidelined by a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, an injury expected to keep him out until at least the end of the regular season. The Lakers have five games remaining, including a rematch with the Thunder; the other four are considered winnable.
LaRavia’s shooting has fluctuated this season, but his defense has remained steady and he was instrumental in the club’s 15-2 record in March. Doncic recently praised the third-year forward’s progress, calling his contributions “great.”
Los Angeles will try to regroup quickly as it jockeys for playoff positioning and braces for a potential first-round matchup with Oklahoma City. “We just have to focus on the next game and keep our heads straight,” LaRavia said.
Source: Lakers Nation
