The Lakers lost 118-109 to the Phoenix Suns, who entered their clash in Arizona with just a 12-51 record – the worst in the NBA.
But Los Angeles struggled against Phoenix although LeBron contributed 27 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists in 41 minutes on the floor.
The loss leaves the Lakers owning a 30-33 record and four games back on the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Luke Walton’s team look to set to go a franchise record-extending sixth season without making the playoffs having failed to improve their form even since LeBron’s return from injury on January 31.
Since then, L.A. have gone 4-8 and since the All-Star break they are just 2-4 despite LeBron declaring that he would “activate” playoff mode as he looks to avoid missing out on the post-season for the first time since 2004-05.
However the Lakers have a worse record now than they did after 63 games of last season, when they were 31-32.
That includes humiliating defeats to the Suns, the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies (twice) this season – all of whom are well below .500.
And given the task ahead of the team to get back into the playoff picture, NBA fans think 34-year-old LeBron should be rested for the remainder of the year.
One wrote on Twitter: “Let LeBron rest. Shut him down for the rest of the season. It’s over.”
“There’s no excuse for the Lakers to lose to the Suns but this season isn’t on LeBron. Magic & company did a poor job constructing the team, flopped on their trade targets & Walton is a mediocre coach at best. LeBron needs to shut it down until next season,” another said.
One disappointed fan said: “The Lakers are actually joke men, might as well sack Luke, shut Lebron down and tank for a lottery pick cah this ain’t working I’m tired of this BS.”
Another said on social media: “Alright gameplan from here on out: Fire Luke. Rest LeBron more. Shut Lonzo down. Play Mo. Play GLeague guys.”
But LeBron was also the subject of widespread criticism, missing a pair of late free throws.
NBA analyst Skip Bayless launched into a rant about the four-time MVP.
He tweeted: “It happened AGAIN: LeBron James just missed two huge late free throws that could’ve made it a one-possession game.
“He has always been a liability at the late-game FT line. And some ppl actually claim he’s better than Michael Jordan. Laughable. Blasphemous.
“Tonight’s loss to the NBA’s worst team started last night [vs the Bucks], when LeBron distanced himself from his team by walking off with 10 secs left, then raved about Giannis’ supporting cast, obviously calling into question his own.”
And another disappointed Lakers fan wrote: ““Better LBJ can rest for the rest of season. Or else start filming SpaceJam2. He’s not interested to carry this team to Playoffs. Now he cannot point fingers at others as BI has stepped up and playing at a high level after trade deadline. #Lebron #LakeShow.”
The Lakers have just 19 games left of the regular season and next face the LA Clippers, who occupy the last playoff spot in the West, at Staples Center.