Predictions that the Los Angeles Lakers would miss the playoffs were considered bold at midseason, when Anthony Davis was nursing another injury, Russell Westbrook's inefficiencies were glaring and LeBron James was carrying too great a burden for a 19-year veteran about to face a brutal second-half schedule.
All remain true, and it is starting to feel inevitable that the Lakers will miss the playoffs. What's worse: James suffered an ankle injury he described as "horrible" in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Lakers coach Frank Vogel declared James doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.