LeBron James and Lakers in danger of missing the play-in

The Los Angeles Lakers lost against on Wednesday night, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 109-104. Considering they were down by 21 at one point, they made a valiant effort, but at this point in the season, a loss is a loss.

LeBron James has not missed the playoffs (outside of the injury-plagued 2018-19 season) since the 2004-2005 NBA season – when he was 20 years old.

For almost two decades, James has dominated the league like no other. But now, his Lakers are in serious danger of not only missing the playoffs but missing the play-in altogether.

LeBron James and Lakers in danger of missing the play-in

Right now, the Lakers sit at 27-34 on the season, good for ninth in the Western Conference. They have lost three in a row since the All-Star break and all signs are pointing downward.

They are 4.5 games back of the LA Clippers for eighth and a whole nine games back of the Denver Nuggets for the sixth spot, which would see them avoid the play-in. Needless to say, their chances of surpassing Denver are slim to none.

But that’s not what the Lakers should be worried about anymore. While they started the season with high aspirations, they need to aim lower now – they need to try and avoid missing the play-in.

While they are less than five games back of the Clippers, the scarier reality is what lies below them in the standing. Or who, rather, as the New Orleans Pelicans and a slew of other teams are right on their tail.

New Orleans is only two games back of the Lakers in tenth, and the Portland Trail Blazers are tied with them in terms of record. Then there’s the San Antonio Spurs, who are 3.5 games back of the Lakers.

As crazy as it sounds, the ninth-seeded Lakers are closer to the 12th seed than they are the eighth seed. And with the way they’ve been playing, James and the Lakers are in serious danger of falling out of the play-in entirely.