LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off yet another loss with the team falling to the division rival L.A. Clippers in convincing fashion. This loss marks the fifth in their last six games and their chances of making the playoffs and ending the postseason drought are dwindling.

After the disappointing loss to the Clippers on Monday, Josh Hart spoke to the media and talked about the playoffs push and how that should be motivation enough for this team right now.

“We want to make the playoffs,” Hart said. “If that's the goal, we don't need motivation…Our backs are against the wall. Everyone is counting us out. We're probably the most criticized team in the NBA. If that doesn't motivate you if that doesn't get you up in the morning, get you ready to compete, nothing will.”

As a result of the loss, the Lakers are now two and a half games back of the Sacramento Kings and five and a half back of the San Antonio Spurs who are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

With 18 games left in the regular season for the Lakers, 12 of which are against potential playoff teams, the postseason may already be out of reach for this team. The criticism has hit a boiling point for this team with LeBron James obviously adding even more coverage to the struggling franchise.

As if things weren't bad enough for the Lakers right now, Kyle Kuzma suffered a sprained ankle in the loss to the Clippers. The second-year forward was noticeably limping on his way to the locker room, and head coach Luke Walton doesn't believe he'll be ready for the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

“We are hoping [Brandon] Ingram will be back Wednesday…Kuzma is going to get an x-ray right now, but he is limping pretty bad,” Walton said. “I'd be surprised if he is ready to go, but I'm not a doctor.”

The x-ray came back negative on Kuzma's ankle, but missing Wednesday's game seems to be a strong possibility even though he said he wants to play. Ingram is also dealing with an issue as he missed Monday's game due to shoulder soreness.

Injuries continue to take a toll on this Lakers team, and they push forward. Lonzo Ball remains out with a sprained ankle, and now both Ingram and Kuzma are dealing with health issues. Even Hart is dealing with knee tendinitis.

At this point, the team may decide to shut down some of their players if the playoffs become clearly out of reach.