Jordan Clarkson’s free throw rattled around the rim before falling out late in the first quarter. The Los Angeles crowd groaned. The Lakers missed their first five free throws, and the visiting Pacers led by seven.
It appeared to be one of those nights.
And it was. The Lakers shot just 2-for-14 (14%) on free throws Friday. But they still won, 99-86.
That’s the worst free-throw percentage with at least eight attempts by any team and the worst free-throw percentage regardless of attempts by a winning team in the Basketball-Reference database, which dates back to 1963-64.
Here’s the “leaderboard,” winners in purple and losers in gold:
The Lakers are shooting an NBA-worst 69% on free throws, but last night took the cake. The offenders:
- Kyle Kuzma (0-3)
- Julius Randle (0-2)
- Tyler Ennis (0-2)
- Larry Nance Jr. (0-2)
- Brook Lopez (0-2)
- Jordan Clarkson (2-3)