Lakers Criticized by NBA Fans as LeBron James, LAL Lose to Dillon Brooks, Rockets

zach bacharContributor IJanuary 30, 2024

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of the Houston Rockets on Monday night, falling by the score of 135-119.

LeBron James finished with a double-double, scoring 23 points and racking up 10 assists compared to only one turnover. He shot 2-5 from behind the arc, but just 3-8 on free throws.

The Lakers struggled defensively, as the Rockets shot 53 percent from the field and dished out 36 assists. Los Angeles has now allowed at least 110 points in seven consecutive games.

NBA fans called out the team’s poor performance.

Lakers Nation @LakersNationHey Lakers you wanna play some defense?

Lakers: pic.twitter.com/yUfdcRQgoI

Trevor Lane @Trevor_LaneOver 8 minutes to play in the 2nd and the Lakers have given the Rockets 56 points. Not ideal

Trevor Lane @Trevor_LaneLakers down 18 at the half in a game they don’t look very interested in so far.

Anthony F. Irwin @AnthonyIrwinLAEvery time the Lakers make anything even remotely resembling progress, they find some new, exciting way to disappoint. It’s been the only consistent aspect of this season.

Raquel 🫶🏾 @SOULbeautifulmeThis is the type of game where we see AD’s value … our defense looks horrible because AD can’t move quickly to help on switches & he is barely jumping

Dave McMenamin @mctenThe Lakers’ defense is getting shredded by the young, talented Rockets. LAL trails 78-60 at the half, with Dillon Brooks hitting back-to-back jumpers to end the 2nd Q after the Lakers had cut a 21-point deficit to 13

Lakers Daily @LakersDailyComLakers give up a season-high 78 points in the 1st half

Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻‍💻 @SGVNSportsThe Lakers Darvin Ham defense gives up a 42 point quarter.

Again, remember, this guy was hired for his defense.

Sean Davis @Sean_DaviFive out of the Lakers last Six games the Lakers have allowed at least 126 points. Absolutely pathetic

Harrison Faigen @hmfaigenIf the Lakers would have played this hard on D to start the game, they may not be in this position

For the Rockets, Dillon Brooks continued his feud with James that stemmed from Los Angeles’ first-round victory over Brooks and the Memphis Grizzlies in 2023.

The 28-year-old called James “old” and said that he doesn’t “respect anyone until they come and give me 40” during the series, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

Brooks finished with 17 points on 7-12 shooting, including a three-pointer to beat the first-half buzzer.

NBA @NBADillon Brooks beats the 2Q buzzer to cap off a team season-high in points scored in a half!

Lakers-Rockets | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/d8rYkIjszt pic.twitter.com/E1VnHziMXS

He also picked up a flagrant foul on James in the second half, although he was able to stay in the game without recording a second one.

Brooks also had a brief altercation with Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, leading to Vanderbilt’s ejection.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportJarred Vanderbilt was ejected after getting into it with Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/EsciY2A7rI

The Lakers fell to 24-24 after the loss and have not been at least two games over .500 since Dec. 28.