Lakers eliminated from playoff contention for 3rd straight season

It was an inevitable outcome for a season deemed a wash a long time ago, but, nonetheless, the Los Angeles Lakers (14-51) can now officially face the reality of not being part of the postseason once again.

It's the third year in a row the Lakers missed the playoffs, marking the longest stretch in franchise history. The last time Los Angeles failed to qualify in consecutive years was 1974-76.

With the Houston Rockets defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 118-104 on Wednesday night, Byron Scott's squad now finds itself 18.5 games back of the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

To avoid matching their worst record ever (21-61 in 2014-15), the Lakers will need to go 7-10 over their final 17 games.

They've won their last two games, including a historic 112-95 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday afternoon.