BBNBA: Malik Monk serves up 28 in latest Lakers loss

The NBA is rolling into the stretch run of its season. Out West, the Suns are running away with the league’s best record, on pace to top 65 wins. In the East, there’s a compelling race for the top seed between four teams — Miami, Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia — all separated by less than two games. Then there are the mid-tier teams, followed by about 50-feet of crap. Right there, just on the cusp of crap-dom, is where you’ll find the subject of today’s story: the Lakers, baby.

Monk’s big game not enough as Mavs roll L.A.

The Lakers’ current run of pants-pooping “basketball,” particularly since the All-Star Break, has been truly special to witness. Some of their recent feats include throwing Wenyen Gabriel into the starting lineup in Wednesday’s loss to the Sixers and blowing a massive lead in Sunday’s loss to the Pelicans. Even more scandalous, they’ve been exposed on the internet for only putting Malik Monk and other non-LeBron-James role players in their final score graphic on Twitter after losses.

The team’s latest strategy, as of Tuesday night, is apparently benching James altogether. The 37-year-old superstar sat out against the Mavericks due to “ankle issues,” which can be roughly translated into “embarrassment management.” Instead, they moved Monk back into the starting lineup, bumped Gabriel back to the bench, and proceeded to lose by double-digits.

Monk went ham with the ball in his hands, dropping 28 points on a blistering 10-16 clip and an impressive 6-10 mark from outside. But seeking to avoid any further controversy, the Lakers’ social team steered clear of him in their graphics. They rolled with Russell Westbrook for the first quarter post (DAL leads, 43-25), D.J. Augustin for halftime (DAL leads, 82-56), Stanley Johnson for the third quarter (DAL leads, 113-84), and finally, Westbrook again for the clincher.

Final pic.twitter.com/8rspqvXJpq

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 30, 2022

Solid execution, I gotta say. They didn’t even post a single highlight, probably because Monk was the only one making them and they couldn’t risk being dragged anymore. But don’t worry, we got you covered below.

Up next for the Lakers, a stop in Utah is looming on Thursday night before they return home to face the Pelicans and Nuggets this weekend. The good news is, Anthony Davis could reportedly return for any one of those games. L.A. will certainly need him if they have any shot at sneaking into the play-in tournament.

News & Notes:

• Tyrese Maxey scored seven in the Sixers’ narrow loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday, shooting just 3-11 from the field. But the lackluster statline didn’t stop Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer from singing his praises afterward.
• ICYMI, the Pistons announced Hami Diallo will miss the rest of the season with a finger injury. Having seen them play, I don’t think he’s really missing much.
• Both ESPN games tonight are good ones, but I’ll give the GOTD nod to Heat-Celtics at 7:30. A win for Bam Adebayo & co. would give Miami pole position for first place heading into the weekend.

Player	Result	Points	FG (3PA)	Rebounds	Assists	Steals	Blocks	Turnovers	Minutes	+/-
Malik Monk (LAL)	128-110 L @ DAL	28	10-16 (6-10)	4	2	1	1	1	32	-7
Wenyen Gabriel (LAL)	128-110 L @ DAL	8	2-3	7	0	0	0	0	15	-6
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	118-116 L vs. MIL	7	3-11 (1-4)	1	6	0	0	0	40	-6
Brandon Boston Jr. (LAC)	121-115 W vs. UTA	DNP – Illness	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Hamidou Diallo (DET)	130-123 L @ BKN	DNP – Finger Injury	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Anthony Davis (LAL)	128-110 L @ DAL	DNP – Foot Injury	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Today in the NBA

7:00 – Mavericks @ Cavaliers (Rondo)

7:00 – Nuggets (Cousins, Murray*) @ Pacers (Jackson)

7:00 – Magic @ Wizards

7:30 (ESPN) – Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Celtics

7:30 – Hornets (Washington, Richards) @ Knicks (Randle, Quickley, Noel)

7:30 – Timberwolves (Towns, Vanderbilt) @ Raptors

8:00 – Kings (Fox, Lyles) @ Rockets (Wall*)

8:00 – Hawks (Knox) @ Thunder (SGA, Sarr)

8:30 – Grizzlies @ Spurs (Johnson)

10:00 (ESPN) – Suns (Booker) @ Warriors

10:00 – Pelicans @ Trail Blazers (Bledsoe)

* – inactive