Lakers' Loss to Struggling Pelicans Has Fans Furious as LeBron James Chases Record

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night 131-126 at Smoothie King Center in the final game of their Eastern Conference road trip to drop to 25-29 on the season.

It was a tough break for the Purple and Gold, which entered halftime with a 72-61 lead over the Pels. However, a 42-point third quarter by New Orleans helped the Pelicans snap a 10-game losing streak.

LeBron James finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the loss. He's now within 36 points of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring title and will have a chance to claim that crown when the Lakers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Anthony Davis, meanwhile, finished with 34 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in the loss.

Outside of James and Davis, the Lakers failed to get much production out of the remaining members of their starting five as Rui Hachimura, Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schröder combined for just 22 points.

After posting back-to-back wins over the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, falling to the Pelicans on Saturday night was a tough way for the Purple and Gold to end their road trip, and fans are furious following the loss:

Whenever the Lakers make any sort of progress, they seem to then take another step backward.

The Lakers will have the chance to upgrade their roster with the NBA's trade deadline coming up on Thursday. With Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving available, many fans are hoping the Purple and Gold pull the trigger on a deal for the guard to reunite him with James.