Luka Doncic Scores 41 as LeBron James, Lakers Criticized By NBA Fans in Loss to Short-Handed Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers' recent woes continued on Thursday despite a tremendous outing from Luka Dončić.

The Lakers dropped a matchup against the Phoenix Suns 113-110, marking their third loss in a row and fifth loss in their last seven contests. The loss came to a Suns team that was without star guard Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, the team's two leading scorers.

Dončić got it done on offense, posting 41 points, eight boards and eight assists, but he didn't get much help as LeBron James posted just 15 points and Austin Reaves added 14.

A late scoring run, almost entirely from Dončić, helped the Lakers come back from a double-digit deficit, and a clutch basket from James tied things up with just 22 seconds left, but Los Angeles allowed a last-second three from Royce O'Neale that sealed the loss.

After the loss, fans lamented Los Angeles struggles and called for those around Dončić to step up.

The Lakers are still sitting in sixth place in the West at 34-24 after the loss, but they're getting dangerously close to the play-in tournament. Obviously, that wouldn't be the end of the world for Los Angeles, but there's not much of an excuse for a team led by Dončić, James and Reaves to not be at least a top-six seed in the playoffs.