New low for Los Angeles Lakers as fans boo them at home

The Los Angeles Lakers hit a new low yesterday, with a 123-95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans being met by a chorus of boos from the home crowd throughout much of the night.

Russell Westbrook, the L.A. native whom the franchise completely overhauled its roster to acquire in the offseason, was asked if that type of reception from Lakers fans would be something he takes home with him after his team lost for the ninth time in its last 12 games.

“Nah,” he said. “Take it home? For what? S—. Take it home? I got three beautiful kids at my house. Why would I take it home? If they boo, they can take their ass home. I ain’t worried about that. It doesn’t bother me none. …

“I can only answer if I take them home: No. But as for our team, I don’t think it’s something we got to deal with. And kind of move forward.”

Right now, the 27-33 Lakers are tumbling backward, with the loss to the No. 11 Pelicans shaving their lead on even having a spot in the play-in tournament down to just 2½ games with 22 games left to play.

And the path only gets more treacherous from here. L.A. plays three teams above it in the standings this week — the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers, and Golden State Warriors — and then has a road-heavy schedule for the rest of March.