The Los Angeles Lakers fell 110-109 to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night after a miscue between Luka Dončić and LeBron James spoiled their final chance to win.

Trailing by one with 6.7 seconds left, the Lakers drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play following a putback by Orlando center Wendell Carter Jr.. James inbounded to Dončić, who caught the ball open beyond the arc on the left wing but hesitated instead of taking the shot.

“I know I was open, but I just thought I was a little bit far,” Dončić said. He took one dribble inside the line before picking up the ball — a decision he later called a mistake.

Immediately double-teamed by Paolo Banchero and Anthony Black, Dončić pivoted and passed back to James with under three seconds remaining. Guarded by Jonathan Isaac, James launched a contested 27-foot fadeaway that missed at the buzzer.

“I thought he had a great look,” James said of Dončić’s initial catch. “I was kind of off-balance when he gave it to me.”

Dončić, who finished 8-for-24 from the field and 2-for-10 from three but dished out a season-high 15 assists, took responsibility. “I shouldn’t have picked up the ball. I should have attacked. That’s on me,” he said.

The final possession capped a string of missed opportunities for Los Angeles. James missed a late free throw that would have extended the lead to three, and Orlando’s Desmond Bane answered with a go-ahead three. On the Magic’s next possession, the Lakers failed to secure a defensive rebound, allowing Carter’s decisive putback.

The loss marked the Lakers’ first defeat of the season when leading after three quarters, dropping them to 25-1 in such situations. It also left them 4-4 on their eight-game homestand as they prepare for a road trip to face the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

“It’s a bit upsetting,” center Deandre Ayton said. “But we’ve just got to get back in the lab and get ready for the next game.”

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