Lakers' Vogel: Blowing 23-point lead vs. Pelicans 'hurts'

Frank Vogel wasn't sugarcoating the Los Angeles Lakers' latest defeat - a 116-108 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans - after leading by as many as 23 points.

"It hurts. This game hurts. This was a big game," the Lakers bench boss said after Sunday's game, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "But we have to regroup, we have to find a way to beat Dallas and get some wins down the stretch here. Time's running out on us. We came out with the proper urgency for this game but weren't able to close it."

Los Angeles led by eight after the opening frame and increased its cushion to 20 by halftime. The Lakers dropped 69 points on 66.7% shooting - including 57.9% from deep - through the first 24 minutes.

However, New Orleans responded with a 41-point third quarter and held Los Angeles to just 14 points in the final frame as the Pelicans rallied for a crucial victory.

The Lakers' 23-point lead was the largest blown during LeBron James' four-year tenure with the club, per ESPN Stats & Info, and James didn't mince words postgame.

"We haven't been able to sustain all year, and tonight was one of those instances once again," James said. "It feels like shit. I mean, excuse my language, but that's what it feels like.

"I came in with the mindset understanding it was a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff implications and things of that nature. ... It feels like a wasted opportunity, obviously, for myself and for our team. We weren't able to get it done."

Los Angeles is now a half-game behind New Orleans for the West's No. 9 seed and just one game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for the conference's final play-in tournament spot.