Lakers' hopes dry up, LeBron misses playoffs for 4th time in career
For the second time in the LeBron James era, the Los Angeles Lakers have missed the postseason.
With the San Antonio Spurs beating the Denver Nuggets earlier Tuesday, the Lakers were mathematically eliminated from the play-in round after their 121-110 road loss to the league-leading Phoenix Suns.
James didn't play in Phoenix. The 37-year-old missed his second straight game, and fourth in the Lakers' last five outings, due to the lingering effects of the left ankle sprain he suffered March 27.
It's the fourth time overall in James' career that his team has failed to qualify for the postseason. In addition to falling short in 2018-19 - James' first year in Los Angeles - he also missed the playoffs in 2003-04 and 2004-05, his first two NBA seasons.
Following Tuesday's matchups, the four-time MVP is just 0.1 points per game behind Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid for the scoring title but must play in at least two more games in order to qualify for the honor.
With the Lakers star not at full health, head coach Frank Vogel said he will confer with the team's brass to determine how to approach their remaining three games this season with little else to play for.
"We'll see," Vogel said postgame, courtesy of Mark Medina of NBA.com. "We'll meet with the front office, our players and the coaching staff, and see what's best for our group."
Devin Booker tallied a game-high 32 points with six 3-pointers to go along with seven rebounds and four assists for Phoenix, which set a new franchise record with its 63rd win of the season.
Russell Westbrook led the Lakers with 28 points and added five rebounds and three assists in the loss. Anthony Davis, playing in just his third game back after more than a month out with a midfoot sprain, recorded 21 points and 13 boards.
Westbrook, who's had a tumultuous debut campaign in L.A., said he was content with his effort this season despite the disappointing result.
"I was able to just stay real faithful and true to what I believe in, regardless of what was ever thrown my way or our way and continue to fight, regardless of the results," he said, according to Medina.
The Lakers' elimination also confirms that the Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans will be three of the four teams in the Western Conference play-in tournament this year, with either the Denver Nuggets or Minnesota Timberwolves set to join them. Both still have a chance to clinch the sixth seed and proceed directly to the first round, though Denver is two games above Minnesota and can secure a spot with one more win or a Timberwolves loss.