ATLANTA — The Los Angeles Lakers' momentum hit a standstill in Atlanta on Saturday night, dropping their first road game of the season and snapping a five-game win streak in a 122-102 loss to the Hawks.
The Hawks hurt the Lakers in almost all phases despite being down four of their five starters. The 20-point loss is the Lakers' biggest defeat of the season, dropping their record to 7-3 at the 10-game mark.
Atlanta's urgency and point of attack were the main difference makers—glaring differences compared to the Lakers, who failed to outmatch it behind a slow energy. The Lakers' lackadaisicalness was noticed two minutes into the game by coach JJ Redick, who said he saw "nothing" from his starting unit to begin the contest.
"Just not a lot to like tonight," Redick said. "They [Hawks] were at the requisite level of urgency and physicality.
L.A.'s lack of urgency to start led to an eight-point hole after the first quarter and a 14-point deficit going into the half, behind eight 3-pointers made from Atlanta and 10 turnovers by the Lakers, which Atlanta scored 19 points off of.
The Hawks totaled 13 steals on the night and scored 36 points off the Lakers' 20 total turnovers. Atlanta's starting unit set the tone and outdueled L.A.’s starters, all finishing in double figures and outscoring the Lakers' starting unit 76-59.
"It's always up to that first group to come out and set the tone. I don't think we did that today," Jake LaRavia said, who finished with 13 points. "We came out and got punched in the mouth."
"They just outplayed us at the end of the day."
Luka Dončić had his lowest scoring total of the season, scoring 22 points on seven-of-17 shooting. Dončić also finished with his lowest amount of minutes (27) played in the loss, as Redick pulled the starters midway in the third quarter with the Lakers down big.
Their largest deficit of the night would be 30 in the fourth quarter, the biggest margin they've had all season.
The Lakers will need to wash away the ugly loss, arguably their worst of the season, as they continue their five-game road trip on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets.