Lakers can extend Wizards' historically bad back-to-back NBA record

The Washington Wizards have not completed a winning campaign since the 2017-18 season. At 12-34, they are well on their way to another losing season, hoping for good fortune in the lottery. 

Their opponent on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers, can extend a historically bad NBA record already set by the Wizards. 

"Entering tonight's game with the Lakers, the Wizards are 1-39 (.025) in their last 40 games when playing the second game of a back-to-back," OptaSTATS wrote on X. "That's the fewest wins ever by an NBA team over a span of 40 such games." 

Washington has a chance to break that horrid streak tonight after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 109-99 at home on Thursday. 

Lakers must win to extend Wizards' streak 

No matter what happens in tonight's game, the Lakers are the team facing the most pressure. If they win, as most followers of the NBA expect them to, that's them handling a lesser team. 

A Lakers loss against the Wizards, and fans of the team will rightfully be upset with that outcome and have follow-up questions. How could a team with championship aspirations be defeated by an openly tanking organization? 

Washington may or may not be aware of their current back-to-back game woes. It's the Lakers' job to keep it going. 

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