Los Angeles Lakers Fall Short Late vs. Orlando Magic as Final Possession Sparks Debate

On Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers appeared poised to steal a win against Paolo Banchero and the visiting Orlando Magic. Instead, the game ended in frustration.

With seconds remaining, the ball swung from Luka Dončić to LeBron James, who launched a heavily contested fadeaway three that missed badly. The decision quickly became the focal point of postgame discussion.

Dončić had initially come off the action clean and appeared to have a viable look from beyond the arc. Rather than fire, he passed to James, forcing a tougher attempt against a set defense.

JJ Redick: “We’re a Work in Progress”

Head coach JJ Redick addressed the controversial final possession afterward, acknowledging that the designed play had worked to an extent.

“We obviously ran a play for him to get a look. I felt like he had a decent shot,” Redick said of Dončić. “I don’t know if he thought [Jonathan] Isaac was going to over-help when he hit LeBron there.”

Redick emphasized that the team is still finding cohesion, especially in late-game execution.

“We’re a work in progress.”

The Lakers finished their eight-game homestand at 4-4 — a middling result that reflects both flashes of brilliance and persistent late-game inconsistencies.

Dončić Admits Second Thoughts

Dončić was candid in his self-assessment.

“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” he said. “Tried to take one dribble closer. I probably shouldn’t have picked up the ball and just tried to attack.”

With six to seven seconds remaining, he believed there was time to improve the look — possibly by driving the lane instead of giving the ball up.

That hesitation ultimately disrupted the flow of the possession, leaving James with a rushed, contested attempt instead of a cleaner primary option.

James Keeps Perspective

James didn’t dwell on the moment.

“I thought we had a good opportunity,” he said. “We executed it and it doesn’t go down.”

When asked to evaluate the team’s last three weeks, James brushed off the broader narrative.

“I don’t know. I didn’t even know what today was when I woke up. You asked me about the last three weeks. I’m the wrong guy to ask, champ.”

The comment underscored a veteran’s mindset: focus forward, not backward.

Bigger Picture: Execution Still Evolving

The Lakers’ closing struggles highlight a familiar theme — elite talent doesn’t automatically equal elite late-game chemistry.

Between Dončić and James, Los Angeles has two generational playmakers.

But decision-making in high-pressure moments requires instinctive trust and clarity.

On this possession, communication and assertiveness appeared slightly misaligned.

Against a disciplined Orlando defense anchored by Jonathan Isaac and powered offensively by Paolo Banchero, that margin was enough.

Road Test Ahead

The Lakers won’t have long to regroup. A challenging road stretch awaits:

• At the Phoenix Suns (Thursday)

• At the Golden State Warriors (Saturday)

• Home vs. the Sacramento Kings (Sunday, second night of a back-to-back)

With playoff positioning tightening in the Western Conference, these games carry added weight.

Final Takeaway

The loss wasn’t about talent — it was about split-second judgment.

Dončić had space. James had trust. The timing didn’t align.

As Redick put it, the Lakers are still a “work in progress.” The encouraging part?

The right players had the ball. The next step is ensuring the right player takes the shot…