It’s been a tough season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
They got off to a terrible start to the season, and they’re still struggling in the standings despite straightening the ship over the past month or so.
But despite their shortcomings, inconsistency, and Anthony Davis‘ injury, the referees have also taken a negative impact on the Lakers’ season.
In fact, NBA analyst Trevor Lane pointed out that at least three games have been decided by poor officiating, and those three games might as well be what makes the Lakers miss the playoffs.
Conservatively, the Lakers have had the outcome of 3 games flipped from a win to a loss by referee error on the final play in the last month. Can argue more, but 3 games are without question. Look at what a difference it would make to be 26-24 in the standings instead of 23-27. pic.twitter.com/GbUmhVNS4y
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) January 29, 2023
As of now, Darvin Ham‘s team is sitting on a 23-27 record and the 13th spot in the Western Conference.
Those three wins would’ve shifted their record to 26-24, which would be good for the fifth-best record in the league, tied with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Western Conference has been a bit of a bloodbath from start to finish, with the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies watching the rest of the pool from above.
Just 4.5 games separate the third-seeded Sacramento Kings from the 13th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, so anything can still happen with one-third left in the regular season.
All things considered, the Lakers should have no trouble clinching at least a spot in the play-in tournament, as the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers continue to free-fall and are likely to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
But then again, it’s time the league starts holding the referees accountable, as there’s no reason these things should continue to happen.
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