The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a gut-wrenching 109-110 defeat to the Orlando Magic on February 24, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena, a loss that has sent shockwaves through the fanbase and reportedly pushed owner Jeanie Buss to her limit. In the aftermath of the heartbreaking buzzer-beater miss by LeBron James and a late putback winner by Wendell Carter Jr., sources close to the organization indicate that Buss unleashed her frustration in a fiery private meeting, demanding drastic changes to the roster rotation for the upcoming games.
According to reports circulating among Lakers insiders, Buss singled out six players whose performances in the contest fell far short of the standards expected from those wearing the iconic purple and gold jersey. Her alleged statement—“What are they doing out there on the court? They don’t deserve to wear this jersey…”—has ignited a firestorm of debate and outrage among fans, who are now dissecting the list of names and questioning the future direction of the team under the new ownership era following the franchise’s sale.
This narrow loss marked the Lakers’ second straight defeat, highlighting ongoing struggles with defensive lapses in the fourth quarter and inconsistent offensive execution despite strong individual efforts from stars like Luka Dončić (who posted 22 points, 15 assists, and 9 rebounds before an eye issue) and LeBron James. Paolo Banchero’s explosive 36-point performance for Orlando proved too much in the end, as the Magic rallied from behind to steal the victory on the road.
The decision to bench or remove these six players from the immediate lineup has fueled speculation about accountability, roster depth, and coaching adjustments under head coach JJ Redick. While the exact identities remain a hot topic of discussion, the focus has shifted to those who underperformed most glaringly in key areas: poor shooting efficiency, defensive breakdowns, turnovers in crunch time, and lack of hustle on the boards.
Leading the criticism is a veteran guard whose shooting woes continued, going a dismal percentage from the field and airballing crucial attempts in the fourth. His inability to space the floor or create separation left the Lakers’ offense stagnant when it mattered most, drawing ire for failing to live up to his role as a reliable secondary scorer.
Another name drawing heavy scrutiny is a forward who struggled mightily on the defensive end, getting repeatedly beaten off the dribble by Banchero and failing to contest shots effectively. His lack of physicality in the paint contributed to Orlando’s late surge, including Carter’s game-winning putback, and raised questions about his fit in a lineup that needs more versatility and toughness.
A young wing player also finds himself in the crosshairs after a night of inefficient scoring and questionable decision-making. Multiple turnovers in transition and poor shot selection hampered the team’s flow, turning potential fast-break opportunities into empty possessions and fueling frustration over his inconsistency despite flashes of talent.
The bench unit took a significant hit as well, with a reserve big man criticized for minimal impact on the glass and defensive rotations. His limited minutes exposed vulnerabilities in rebounding, allowing Orlando to generate second-chance points that proved decisive in the tight contest.
Two additional rotation pieces—a perimeter defender known for his energy and a veteran presence—were highlighted for failing to provide the spark needed off the bench. Their combined efforts lacked the defensive intensity and playmaking to stem the tide during Orlando’s decisive run, leading to calls for immediate changes to shake up the chemistry.
Fans have taken to social media in droves, expressing a mix of support for Buss’s tough stance and concern over the potential disruption to team morale at a critical juncture in the season. With the Lakers sitting in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture, the pressure is on to right the ship quickly. Removing these players from the lineup could open doors for younger prospects or overlooked contributors to step up, potentially injecting fresh energy into a squad that has shown vulnerability in close games.
This move underscores a broader theme in the post-sale Lakers era: a renewed emphasis on performance and accountability. While Jeanie Buss no longer holds controlling ownership, her influence as governor and her passion for the franchise’s legacy remain evident. The harsh words attributed to her reflect the high expectations that come with representing one of the NBA’s most storied teams.
As the Lakers prepare for their next matchup, all eyes will be on the adjusted rotation and whether these changes spark a turnaround or create further unrest. The loss to the Magic was more than just another defeat—it was a wake-up call that has forced difficult but necessary conversations about who truly deserves to wear the Lakers jersey.
The coming games will reveal whether this shake-up leads to renewed focus and improved play, or if deeper issues persist. For now, the fanbase remains divided, passionate, and eagerly awaiting the next chapter in what has been a rollercoaster season for the Purple and Gold.
