More trouble in La La Land

When you are barely hanging on to the final spot in the West Playoffs picture, the last thing you need is a tough loss. On top of that, it only adds insult to injury when that loss also sees two of your best players leave the arena with possible ailments. Thursday night in Milwaukee was not a good evening for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a night that saw Kobe Bryant leave the arena on crutches, the Lakers lost to the Milwaukee Bucks with a final score of 113-103. Even with the Bucks on a four-game skid, the Lakers didn't see themselves getting any freebies in their quest to turn around their less-than-spectacular season. A long playoff run is about the only thing that could salvage a forgettable season for one of the league's most prestigious franchises. Though their dual with Dallas for the final playoff spot didn't change much with Dallas also dropping a game, the Lakers did suffer more than just a loss.

During the third quarter, starting point guard Steve Nash had to leave the game with hip and lower back pain. He didn't return, and a timetable for when he will be back in action has yet to be determined. On top of that, though he finished the game, Kobe Bryant was treated for bone spurs after the match up. It hasn't been released yet if he will miss any time, but the image of him on crutches didn't look good for Lakers fans.

While the Bucks have had some internal struggles recently, they have a nine-game pad on their hold of the final playoff spot in the east. Though the Lakers have a hold on the eighth seed in the west, they are only two games in front of Dallas. With their poor play on Thursday, as well as a struggling team, it looks as if Los Angeles may be falling apart at the most crucial point of their season.

Photo courtesy of Bleacher Report