LeBron James on Message to Lakers' Teammates: 'Just Go out and Do Your Job'

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was blunt Tuesday night when asked if he had a message for his teammates ahead of upcoming road matchups with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's 138-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, James said: "I don't have any message for my teammates. Just go out and do your job."

After the game, James took to social media, making a cryptic post with nothing but an hourglass emoji:

With Tuesday's loss, the Lakers dipped below .500 on the season with a 24-25 record, leaving them clinging to the ninth position in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the 11th-place Houston Rockets.

Defense has been a major issue for L.A. in recent games, as the Lakers surrendered at least 135 points in each of the past four contests.

The Lakers had no defensive answers for the hot-shooting Hawks on Tuesday, as Atlanta shot 52.5 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from beyond the arc. Atlanta also had seven players score in double figures, including 26 points from Trae Young and 24 from reported Lakers trade target Dejounte Murray.

It marked one of the best all-around offensive performances of the season for a Hawks team that has struggled to a 20-27 record.

The absence of star center Anthony Davis played a significant role in the Lakers' defensive issues, although the defensive shortcomings weren't isolated to just that one game.

When asked Tuesday what the Lakers can do to improve on defense, especially when AD is out, James said they need "more communication."

James was also asked about the increased scoring across the NBA this season, and he suggested that games are being officiated in a way to promote scoring since it is more entertaining for the fans.

Only three teams in the NBA this season are surrendering fewer than 110 points per game, and the Lakers rank a pedestrian 20th defensively with 117.6 points allowed per game.

Los Angeles is also around the middle of the pack offensively, ranking 14th with 116.2 points scored per contest.

The Lakers have a hugely difficult road trip coming up, as they will face the Celtics on Thursday. Boston is the NBA's best team this season with a 37-11 record, including a 22-2 mark at home.

Then, on Saturday, L.A. will take on a red-hot Knicks team that has won eight games in a row and has climbed into third place in the East at 31-17.

The Lakers went to the Western Conference Finals last season, and they won the NBA in-season tournament this season, but they have largely been inconsistent.

James acknowledged that fact Tuesday by noting that the Lakers are capable of either beating or losing to any team in the league.

A trade could be coming soon if the Lakers aren't able to get back on track, and it is possible that losses to Boston and New York will accelerate the process.