LeBron-less Lakers fall to 76ers despite gritty effort

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  • Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel (35) blocks a shot by Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers scores on a jumper over Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) defends against Los Angeles Lakers guard D.J. Augustin (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers scores on a layup past Stanley Johnson #14 and Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) reacts after a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers reacts to an official’s call during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket on Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers center DeAndre Jordan, center, dunks against Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in front of Malik Monk #11 and Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • From left, the Lakers’ LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Carmelo Anthony (black hoodie) watch from the bench during the first half of their game against the 76ers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) and center Joel Embiid (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers attempts a shot in front of Wenyen Gabriel #35, Malik Monk #11 n ad Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel (35) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for a screen from Joel Embiid #21 on Stanley Johnson #14 and Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) reacts after a dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Joel Embiid #21 and Doc Rivers watch play from the sidelines during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts as he is defended by Malik Monk #11 and Stanley Johnson #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) fouls Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers scores on a layup between Malik Monk #11 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers makes a pass around the back of Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Russell Westbrook drives as Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden defends during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers scores on a layup between Wenyen Gabriel #35 and Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates his pass to Tobias Harris #12 for a dunk during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots between Joel Embiid #21 and James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles around block of Matisse Thybulle #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket past James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers speaks with James Harden during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles in front of Danny Green #14 and DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a fall during the second half of their game against the Lalers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers argues with officials during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores on a jumper over Furkan Korkmaz #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers passes over a doubl-team from Dwight Howard #39, Stanley Johnson #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a pass around DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers checks on Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he is fouled by James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers grabs a rebound in front of Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Philadelphia 76ers center DeAndre Jordan (9) dunks against center Dwight Howard (39) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates his dunk in front of D.J. Augustin #4 and Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) fouls Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers keeps his dribble as he is defended by Philadelphia’s Furkan Korkmaz during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) keeps the ball inbounds during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.Los Angeles Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel (35) is at right. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony (7) defends against Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles in front of James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores over Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends against Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) is checked out after an injury during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he loses the ball in front of DeAndre Jordan #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers steals the ball from Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers to score during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) defends against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates his score after a timeout with Tyrese Maxey #0 and DeAndre Jordan #9 during the second half on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

  • Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) fouls Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • The Lakers’ LeBron James waves to fans as he is honored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. James moved to second place in the NBA’s career scoring list on March 19, 2022. He did not play against the 76ers because of an injury. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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LOS ANGELES — From the moment they took the court against the nearly full-strength Philadelphia 76ers, the odds were stacked against the Lakers enough that the loss was already being penciled in.

No LeBron James. No Anthony Davis. A starting lineup with two players who spent significant time in the G League earlier this season.

The Lakers (31-42) were expected to lose Wednesday night, and indeed, they did lose, 126-121. But from their last home appearance a week-and-a-half ago – when the Toronto Raptors all but rolled them into the grave – the Lakers who took the court this time were shockingly defiant and resilient despite their disadvantages.

“I think this game, we’re disappointed we lost,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “But without Bron, without A.D., the group that played tonight showed everyone that we still have a whole lot of fight left in us.”

The sold-out Crypto.com Arena did not feature the full allotment of stars, but fans weren’t short-changed on effort. A roar rippled through the venue at the end of the third quarter, when Wenyen Gabriel kissed a buzzer-beating shot off the backboard, pulling the Lakers within two points of Philadelphia (45-27).

The Lakers got a vintage effort from center Dwight Howard with 24 points – the most he’s scored since 2018. They made Joel Embiid, one of the league’s top MVP candidates this season, fight for everything late: He finished with 30 points but did not score from the field in the fourth quarter. Even at the bitter end when the result was solidifying, Russell Westbrook refused to surrender, stealing an inbounds pass off of James Harden and scoring a quick layup to cut the Philly lead to four with 32 seconds left.

On a night when they had few of their core pieces to work with, the Lakers showed plenty of heart.

While heart might not soothe that the Lakers lost another game and a little ground in the standings, it points to a brighter picture in the final nine games of the regular season. The defeat guaranteed they will finish with a losing record, but the 2-2 stretch of the last four games has displayed a good deal more resilience than the team had previously shown since last month’s All-Star break.

Stanley Johnson said the loss to Toronto, in which they fell behind 21-2 in the first quarter, forced the team to look in the mirror.

“I think since that point in time, we’ve changed it,” he said. “And I think that’s what you have to do, as men, we have to change it. Nobody’s gonna play us softer.”

With James, who sat out to rest his sore knees, likely to return in the near future and Davis still hoping to come back before the end of the regular season, if the Lakers can blend competitive spirit with their talent, the season might not be as far gone as once thought.

They seemed to sense that even as the final seconds ticked off the clock, with Westbrook scoring the last of his 24 points with 18 seconds left and the team continuing to foul while down five points. Their last possession was discombobulated, taking far too long as Malik Monk’s 3-point shot rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.

Still, despite being without their top two scorers, the Lakers wound up shooting 51.5% against the second-place team in the Eastern Conference. While Embiid and Harden (24 points) seemed to seize up late in the game with back and leg injuries, respectively, Tyrese Maxey (21 points) and Tobias Harris (20 points) helped close out a victory late.

Westbrook had his fourth straight game of at least 20 points and eight assists, the longest such streak of the season.

“The most important part is, guys are kind of sliding into their roles a little bit better and learning,” he said. “I know it’s the end of the year, but I think guys are doing a better job of having some confidence and keeping it and being able to make mistakes and then playing through them, keeping a positive energy. Which I thought was good tonight.”

The Lakers trotted out their 35th different starting lineup of the season with an eye toward putting size on Embiid: Gabriel, Howard and Johnson all started in the frontcourt. But while Vogel leaned on them for defense, Johnson surprised with his shooting early, starting 5 for 5 from the floor and leading the Lakers with 13 points after the first quarter.

Without James, the Lakers were determined to stay moving. They kept running pick-and-rolls, and cutters kept darting to the rim – fulfilling an offensive principle that Vogel said he’s wanted to see in action for weeks.

Westbrook finished 10 for 20, starting out particularly rough from the field. Monk (23 points) helped make up the early gap, thrilling the crowd with a highlight reverse dunk off of a steal.

The Lakers play at New Orleans, the team directly behind them in the standings, on Sunday. It’s likely to be the team they’ll see in a single-elimination play-in game next month, so this game could serve as a preview.

The Lakers would like to show a little bit of the competitiveness they think they can have at the end of the year, assuming they can be fully whole.

“We know that they’re not just gonna give us anything,” Howard said. “No team has given us anything all year. So if we want to win that game we’ve got to go take it.”

Frank Vogel with tonight’s takeaways, says the #Lakers are “building habits that’ll be there in the postseason.” pic.twitter.com/TDjci6VaLn

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 24, 2022

“It’s going to be a playoff-type of atmosphere for us. It’s definitely a must-win I believe for our group.” @russwest44 on Sunday’s matchup against the Pelicans. pic.twitter.com/HcfNhcU0sH

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 24, 2022

“There’s no win for us tonight but the effort is something we can continue.” Stanley Johnson on building towards the end of season. pic.twitter.com/rYVWUFyqcm

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 24, 2022

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