LeBron James and Anthony Davis said that the Los Angeles Lakers’ “careless” game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night wasn’t because they were tired from traveling.

With the 109–90 loss, the Lakers’ five-game winning streak came to an end. The Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies (without AD) the next day, then played an epic game in double overtime against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. On Friday, they were in Indianapolis.

“I thought we were a little slow today on both ends of the court,” AD, who played 38 minutes and scored 24 points, said. As in “not like us.”

Davis was careful when he moved his left knee, which he overextended on Tuesday (he didn’t play in Memphis).

Afterward, he said, “It’ll get better in a couple days.” “Not a big deal. That’s the reason I played tonight. I think I can get through it. “I don’t plan to miss any more games or have to be on a minute limit or anything like that because of it.”

The Lakers made only 5 out of 30 3-point shots (40.7% overall) and turned the ball over 16 times. The Lakers seemed to be getting stronger in the fourth quarter when they cut the Pacers’ lead to seven points. But then LeBron and Austin Reaves both made a series of mistakes, which Reaves called “bonehead” plays, which sealed the win for the Pacers.

LeBron said, “I know it’s three in four nights, but that’s no excuse for turnovers that aren’t like me.” “You can never be okay with some of the ones that they don’t have to do.”

LeBron scored 16 points in 35 minutes by making 6 of 12 shots. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out 8 assists, and made 5 mistakes. Reaves also turned the ball over five times, which cancelled out his 16 points, 13 boards, and six assists. Davis coughed three times, and D’Angelo Russell (six points) only made three out of fourteen field goal attempts.

LeBron said, “We shot awfully from three.” “Over the last few months, we’ve been shooting really well from outside sources.” “We just didn’t have it tonight.”

In general, the Lakers chose to pass over making quick, bold decisions. Their 90 points were the fewest of the season. They scored 150 points against the same Pacers team five days before, which was the most for the team since 1987.

On the other end, Davis could tell that the Lakers were not communicating well, working together well, or being focused.

“Not helping each other out on defense,” AD said. “These guys are just running by us…”Do we look out for each other? Do you want to talk? Tonight that wasn’t the case.”

The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton (21 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds) and Pascal Siakam (22 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists).

A reporter asked Davis after the game if it was a “wasted opportunity” because of how close the playoff race was and the Lakers’ short comeback in the fourth quarter.

“Teams can play well and beat us,” Davis said. “I think it’s the way we lost tonight, which was a missed chance. We didn’t do a good job of defense. We didn’t play our brand of basketball on either end of the court.

He didn’t agree with the idea that the Lakers were careless; he said they just “didn’t have the energy.”

The Lakers (41-33) were in ninth place in the Western Conference going into the weekend, just 1.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns (43-31) and the Golden State Warriors (39-34).

Before going home, the Lakers will play the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, and the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Gabe Vincent may be able to play again.