As 2023 came to a close, the Los Angeles Lakers were run over by the new Orleans Pelicans 129-109 on Sunday, dropping their record to 17-17 and putting them in ninth place in the Western Conference. While they’re a solid 11-4 at home, they’re 6-13 on the road.
Los Angeles has had a number of road games over the last few weeks. It has played 10 games away from Crypto.com Arena since Dec. 7, including the in-season tournament final. In that span, LA has had three games at home.
In fact, it has had the most sets of back-to-back games in the Western Conference so far this season.
Back to backs in the West thus far:
7: Lakers, Mavs, Nuggets
6: Blazers, Jazz
5: Clippers, Grizzlies, Rockets, Warriors
4: Kings, Pelicans, Suns
3: Spurs, Thunder
2: WolvesThe Lakers have played the most total games (35 including IST Final), and the most road games (20).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 1, 2024
Fortunately, the schedule will start getting easier for the Purple and Gold. Eleven of the team’s next 12 games will take place in Los Angeles, and after a subsequent six-game road trip, it will leave the Pacific time zone just twice between early February and late March.
In addition, the Lakers will not play any more back-to-back games until the final days of January.