The Los Angeles Lakers have thrived under first-year head coach JJ Redick, and have the 5th best record in the Western Conference with fewer than 30 games remaining.
The midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic has only strengthened the team’s case as legitimate championship contenders as they look to finish with a higher seeding ahead of the postseason.
However, the Lakers will have to go through a gauntlet to finish strong.
Following the devastating Los Angeles fires that forced the postponement of multiple games, including matchups against the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA released a revised schedule-one that has sparked outrage among Lakers fans as the matchups approach.
The NBA announced game schedule adjustments, including two for the Lakers: – The previously scheduled Spurs at Lakers game on Jan. 11 that was postponed due to the LA wildfires has been moved to March 17. – As a result, Bucks at Lakers has been moved from March 18 to March 20. pic.twitter.com/refDU4A0Lz — Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 28, 2025
Under the updated slate, Los Angeles will now play six games in eight nights in mid-March, including three separate back-to-back sets: two against the Denver Nuggets and Bucks and another against the Phoenix Suns and Spurs.
As this stretch draws nearer, the condensed schedule has led to a wave of frustration on social media directed at NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Adam Silver goin to hell bro what is this 3 straight back-to-backs is insane pic.twitter.com/BLEXODd7r2 — LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 21, 2025 “It really feels like Adam Silver hates us,” one fan wrote. ”
Adam Silver started off well, now he’s lost his mind. David Stern was better,” added another. “This can’t be real,” a fan added. “He is a clown!” a fan exclaimed. “Literally insane,” a fan said. “Trying to run them into the ground.”
Despite the daunting schedule, the Lakers have fared well in no-rest games this season, going 5-2 in such matchups.
Their only losses came against the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves. They will return to action on Saturday against the second-seeded Nuggets.
