ATLANTA — Down by 20 during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks, the only sound coming from the Lakers bench was Nick Smith Jr.’s hollow claps of encouragement. The rest of the Lakers players sat silently or loitered in a semicircle waiting for their coaches to join.
There wasn’t much that could be said.
The Lakers’ five-game winning streak ended in a blowout as the Hawks dominated 122-102 on Saturday at State Farm Arena.
Playing a third consecutive game without Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic tried to will the Lakers (7-3) to victory with 22 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, but played only 27 minutes after the Hawks built a 25-point lead by the middle of the third quarter. Forward Jake LaRavia had 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Hawks (5-5) were playing the second game of a home back-to-back after losing to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. They had six players sidelined, including stars Trae Young (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (rest) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (back).
They still built a quick 13-point lead in the first quarter.
The Lakers should know the dangers of a desperate, but short-handed team. Only five days ago, they ended Portland’s three-game winning streak without Reaves, Doncic or LeBron James. Redick said he would reiterate the lesson before Saturday’s game to avoid a let down.
Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci, center, shoots between Lakers center Deandre Ayton, left, and forward Rui Hachimura in the first half Saturday.
(Mike Stewart / Associated Press)
The lead grew to 14 by halftime and ballooned to 26 after three quarters once Redick pulled Doncic, LaRavia and center Deandre Ayton.
The Lakers looked lethargic from the start, missing easy lob passes they connected consistently during their winning streak. They fell asleep on defense, letting Hawks players cut straight to the basket.
Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye torched them for 19 points on seven-for-nine shooting from the field and four successful three-pointers. The Lakers, who had credited their connection and chemistry for carrying them through long stints without their stars, suddenly fell silent when faced with a large deficit in front of a rowdy crowd.
By the end, with most of Atlanta’s fans streaming toward the exits, the Hawks’ most dedicated fan group the “404 crew” echoed through the mostly empty arena with a final chant: “Where is LeBron?”
The superstar has yet to play a single minute this season.
