The Los Angeles Lakers issue with offensive consistency was magnified in Sunday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, when the Lakers managed just 89 points in a game that exposed their offensive stagnation.
The following day, Rui Hachimura addressed the problem after practice, offering a candid assessment of what he believes is holding the team back.
“I think it mostly depends on the team we play against. There are some teams that play really good team defense. Against that, we have to be more of sharing the ball, trusting each other,” Hachimura said, via Dan Woike of The Athletic. “We got to have ball movement. Like yesterday, last game, they are a really great team, especially off the shift. So, I think usually, some guys, even for me, I can split the defense. But those guys are really good on the shift. They are a real handsy team and they allow them to do that. So, against those type of teams we kind of really struggle. We don’t have enough ball movement so I think those kind of stuff is the key for us to keep a high level offense. Have the ball movement is going to be the key.”
The Lakers’ struggles are striking given the playmaking talent on the roster.
Luka Doncic is one of the league’s most creative passers, LeBron James has built his career on elevating teammates, and Austin Reaves is known for his decision-making and feel for the game. Still, Los Angeles has leaned heavily on isolation possessions, an approach that has led to uneven results.
While Doncic leads the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points per game, the Lakers sit 8th in offensive rating, a figure that falls short for a team built to outscore opponents while navigating defensive limitations. The lack of rhythm becomes especially apparent against disciplined, physical defenses like Boston’s.
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