Heading into the 2018-2019 season, the timeline seemed pretty easy to predict: LeBron James plays like LeBron James, the young guys learn and develop with the league’s best player captaining them, and the Lakers coast to, at worst, the 6th seed in the Western Conference.

Now, limping to the All-Star break at 28-29, with losses that include giving up 143 points to Philly, a bad loss to a Hawks team that’s playing for a lottery pick, and home defeats to New York and Cleveland, hitting the panic button has never looked better.

L.A.’s 117-113 loss in Atlanta Tuesday night dropped the team to below .500, putting them 3 games behind the 8th seed Clippers. Despite a triple double from James and 19 apiece from Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma, the Lakers’ defense allowed an 18 win Hawks team to do whatever they wanted to offensively.

Young standouts John Collins and Trae Young played exceptionally for Atlanta, whose bench outscored L.A.’s 39-26; a 26 that came solely from two players.

It appears the break could not come at a better time for Los Angeles, who played some of their most uninspired basketball against a team they should have beaten with ease.

“It’s time for us to get away and reflect a little bit as a group,” said head coach Luke Walton, who’s once solidified job is now under much speculation. Despite verbal support from owner Jeanie Buss, many fans and critics believe Walton’s inability to maintain consistently solid performances from his players provides reason for the Lakers’ struggles.

The Lakers have dealt with a multitude of injuries this season, most notably James missing over a month with a groin injury, and guard Lonzo Ball’s sprained ankle that he suffered in Houston last month. Not to mention the early suspensions of Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram in the opening night brawl.

It seems as if every time L.A. has appeared to find its rhythm, an injury would derail their momentum. While injuries are commonplace in the NBA, Walton has been bestowed most of the blame for the lackluster production thus far; surely, he will also take on a majority of responsibility if his team were to miss the postseason after very high expectations.

When asked about his thoughts on the matter, LeBron merely stated: “You either make it or you don’t make it. That’s when you worry about it.”

LeBron may not be as concerned as the rest of Laker Nation is, but one thing is clear:

The rest of the way won’t be easy, there will be plenty of drama (as customary with all things Lakers), and the King’s going to have to lead the charge.

Strap in, folks.