On December 24, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA regular season continued. In a just-concluded Western Conference game, the Lakers lost to the Spurs 110:138, suffering a wave of four consecutive losses, and the record became 16-17, with the winning percentage falling below 50%. Meanwhile, the Lakers didn't close the Stage Center with a win.
In today's game, Thomas Jr. ushered in his fourth game after returning to the NBA. Thomas Jr. played 21 minutes in the game, scoring only 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 1 of 5 shooting, with a plus-minus of -20. In the first quarter, Thomas Jr. hit a jump shot, which was the only one he hit in the whole game. In the final quarter, Thomas Jr. got 8 minutes of playing time, but his consecutive shots were deflected.
In the first game of Thomas Jr.'s return to the NBA, he scored a team-high 19 points. Combined with the Lakers' missing major general, Thomas Jr. got a starting opportunity against the Bulls, scoring 13 points. However, in the last two games, Thomas Jr. has rarely played, he only scored 3 points on 11 shooting in the last game, and although his shooting percentage today is not as dismal as the last game, there are not many shooting opportunities, and he only scored 2 points again.
It has to be said that as a player with obvious shortcomings in height and average defensive level, thomas jr. was abandoned by the NBA before it is not unreasonable. At the same time, after Thomas Jr. joined the Lakers, the team suffered 4 consecutive losses.
While there are many reasons for this, it's clear that that doesn't add some leverage to Thomas Jr.'s stay with the Lakers.