Darvin Ham Calls Out Lakers; Fans Rip HC as Davis, LA Lose to Wolves Without LeBron

Adam WellsMarch 4, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Darvin Ham wasn't happy after the Los Angeles Lakers' 110-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

The first-year head coach told reporters the Timberwolves had the feel of a team "fighting for their lives as well and trying to get to the postseason," but the Lakers "looked like we were playing in mud."

Spectrum SportsNet @SpectrumSN
Darvin Ham sounds off in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakers</a> postgame presser. <a href="https://t.co/svDhhXsOBj">pic.twitter.com/svDhhXsOBj</a>

This was the Lakers' third consecutive game without LeBron James since he suffered a foot injury. They have lost two of those three games and are 6-11 overall in 17 games without the four-time NBA MVP this season.

Even though Ham wanted to call out his players for what he thought was a lack of effort in the loss, Lakers fans aired some of their grievances with the head coach on Twitter:

🏆Everything lakers🏆 @1x_wavy
I've seen enough fire darvin ham <a href="https://t.co/8BtsM5cMAH">pic.twitter.com/8BtsM5cMAH</a>

cdub @LA_stateofmind1
he needs to relax with these Hoosiers post game rants. Get this guy out the Lakers organization.

Drunken_Mamba @_phylliest
Man, he is also getting paid millions to coach as well but ain't doing a good job of it either 🤷🏽‍♂️

Aaron @GotEmCoach___
Darvin Ham speaking effort when he got out coached surely is something

malachiverson @ChiWatts_
darvin ham talking about being locked in <a href="https://t.co/tconlt3wkU">pic.twitter.com/tconlt3wkU</a>

Legoat Wrld @lakerstrollwrld
I'm so damn done with darvin ham omfg.. he legit does not know wtf he is doing and can't coach

⁶ @TaIkContext
This game is on Darvin Ham.. point. blank. period.

Lakers Empire @LakersEmpire
Darvin Ham didn't wanted to call a timeout when AD lost his shoe 😭 unserious coach

Jonsey @jonsey2x
AD masterclass ruined by Darvin ham

Witness King James @WITNESSKJ
That's now back-to-back games where Darvin Ham just stands there as his players badly need a timeout called. vs OKC: Dennis is trapped in crunch time and Ham just stands there and watches vs MIN: AD has lost his shoe and can't play as Ham just stands there confused

iM Quentin @anonymousqueue_
Reaves is a far better shooter than Schroder yet he sat on the bench when the Lakers needed him the most. Absolutely disgusting decision-making down the stretch by Darvin Ham yet again.

ℂ𝕙𝕚𝕡🐝(30-33):( @Chip6ix
Darvin Ham once again competing for worst coach in the league tonight

bob sacamano @rhcheeeese
Darvin Ham is the worst coach in the league

Lenews @leburnerla
60 games into the season and darvin ham still runs three guard lineups and can't see it doesn't work what a joke <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LakeShow?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LakeShow</a>

#LANDIMBANANA #FORALANDIM #FORAMARCOSBRAZ #FORAVP @DesesperadoFla
the loss is on darvin ham. he is the only one to blame.

Anthony Davis tried to carry the Lakers to victory. He finished with 38 points on 12-of-22 shooting, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The four other starters in the lineup combined to score 37 points.

Minnesota's bench went off against the Lakers with 38 points, including 15 from Naz Reid. The 23-year-old also had eight rebounds in 21 minutes.

Rudy Gobert, who was primarily matched up against Davis, had a fantastic performance with 22 points and 14 rebounds (five offensive). Anthony Edwards scored 19 points and went 5-of-8 from three-point range.

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The win was Minnesota's second straight and got the team back over .500 at 33-32. Head coach Chris Finch's squad is back up to seventh in the Western Conference standings, just .008 percentage points behind the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 6 seed.

The Timberwolves will wrap up their four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.

The Lakers (30-34) are one game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. They are off on Saturday before hosting the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.