For all intents and purposes, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention a long time ago. Mathematically, however, the team was technically still alive.
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That has all ended now, thanks to the New Orleans Pelicans latest victory over the Brooklyn Nets. That victory has officially eliminated the Lakers from playoff contention according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN:
Per Elias, the Lakers were officially eliminated from playoff contention tonight w/ the Pelicans win over Brooklyn.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) March 11, 2015
This will mark the second consecutive season that the Lakers have failed to make the playoffs, only the second time that has happened in the history of the team. Making matters worse is the fact that the Lakers are also currently on pace to have the worst record in franchise history.
Despite this second straight season of futility, there are some things to look forward to for Lakers fans. The team will have multiple draft picks in the upcoming draft and enough salary cap space to offer a maximum contract to a free agent. With Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle also slated to return, the Lakers could look much different this time next year.
Unfortunately, the present just isn’t good and the March 10 elimination from playoff contention is the team’s earliest since moving to Los Angeles in 1960. Hopefully for the sake of Lakers fans, this stretch of futility turns around sooner rather than later.
[divide]Lakers Coach Byron Scott ‘Searching’ For Players That Can Close Games
