TheLos Angeles Lakershave managed to hold on to the lead in the Pacific Division, but have gone 1-2 in their last three games to start a five-game road trip this week.
Coach JJ Redick has shown frustration during the postgame press conference about his team's play during the stretch.
The Lakers also haven't been able to play at full strength this season, with Austin Reaves or Luka Doncic missing multiple games due to various injuries.
The team is also awaiting the return of LeBron James, who has yet to make his season debut.
James practiced with the South Bay Lakers, the NBA team's G-League affiliate, for a second time on Thursday. The four-time NBA champion could be inching closer to a return for the Lakers as long as he doesn't experience any setbacks in the coming days.
LeBron James injury update:Lakers star continues to practice with G-League affiliate
Where do the Lakers rank?
The Lakers fell in the latestUSA TODAY Sports power rankings, moving from second to sixth in Week 3. The Lakers had previously started the season ranked 11th.
L.A. had only trailed theOklahoma City Thunderin the rankings in Week 2, but now sits behind five teams this week, including three from the Western Conference and two from the Eastern Conference.
All things Lakers:Latest Los Angeles Lakers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
When do the Lakers play next?
The Lakers will play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James cries before the Men's Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men's basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA power rankings: Where Luka Doncic and Lakers land in Week 3
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