Lakers set record for most losses in franchise history

"Clippers DeAndre Jordan slams in two points  during first half action at Staples Center Sunday.  ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News ) "

“Clippers DeAndre Jordan slams in two points during first half action at Staples Center Sunday. ( Photo by David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News ) “

The humiliation the Lakers experienced in their 106-78 loss to the Clippers on Sunday at Staples Center went beyond Chris Paul dribbling between the legs of Lakers forward Carlos Boozer. Or Paul throwing it off-the-backboard lob to Blake Griffin.

The Lakers also set a franchise record for losses in a single season, their 20-56 mark eclipsing last year’s 27-55 finish. The Lakers’ 26.3 winning percentage is slightly worse than the Minneapolis Lakers seasons in 1957-58 (19-53, 26.4%) and 1959-60 (25-50, 33.33%)

“Obviously losing doesn’t sit well with me period,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “I’m not thinking about the record. But the losing part doesn’t sit well with me. Hopefully it doesn’t sit with those guys in the locker room as well.”

It seems hard to differentiate between the Lakers’ losses this season. They have experienced 24 double-digit blowouts, while 32 others have entailed the team shrinking in a close game. But the Lakers-Clippers game seemed different namely because of the storylines surrounding the two teams that share Staples Center.

The Lakers have dropped 10 of their last 11 against the Clippers. Blake Griffin had 18 points. Paul posted 15 assists. And the Clippers led by as many as 43 points. At least the Lakers didn’t set the largest losing margin against the Clippers like they did last season when they lost 142-94.

Not that Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he’s really monitoring.

“We have to win for a long time,” Rivers said. “The Lakers, their footprint is here and will be here forever. It should be. I don’t get into that competition. That footprint is pretty solid, Shaq-size.”

Yes, the Lakers’ 16 NBA championships to the Clippers’ zero sure has built some equity. But the current identity between the two teams has flipped upside down. The Clippers (52-26) are competing for home-court advantage for the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Lakers hope they can strike it rich in the NBA draft lottery.

“Losing is losing,” Scott said. “To get blown out in your building, that doesn’t make it any better. It doesn’t hurt any less or any more that the loss is against the Clippers. They’re a good team. They’re a very good team.”

So good that Scott said he wouldn’t feel surprised if the Clippers advanced to the Western Conference Finals or even won the NBA championship. So good that Scott touted Paul as an MVP candidate despite Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Houston’s James Harden grabbing the headlines. So good that Scott that he hopes his players are eager for another crack at them on Tuesday in a designated road game at Staples Center. Then, Clippers forward Jamal Crawford could return after weathering a monthlong absence because of a calf injury.

“If I was playing, I’d be excited because I’d be pissed,” Scott said. “But I’m not playing. It doesn’t matter if I’m excited or not. It’s the guys in the purple and gold uniforms that have an opportunity to play that you should probably ask that question to.”

But those wearing the purple and gold uniform have not fared well this season amid dire circumstances. They have absorbed season-ending and long-term injuries to Kobe Bryant (right shoulder), Steve Nash (back), Julius Randle (right leg), Nick Young (left knee), Wayne Ellington (right shoulder), Xavier Henry (left Achilles tendon) and Ronnie Price (right elbow). They also have an unproven roster filled with players either on one-year contracts or with inexperience.

All of which has secured the Lakers missing the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive time and seventh time in franchise history. They will also participate in the NBA lottery for the fourth time since its inception in 1985. And they are one day removed from officially losing the season-series to the Clippers for the third consecutive year

“I just told them 11 o’clock tomorrow morning,” Scott said. “I didn’t have to say much. Hopefully when the game is over, they witnessed it. They were out there. We got a ‘royal you-know-what kicking.’ I don’t think as a coach that I have to really say much. I would hope, because I am, that they’re a little embarrassed about the way we played tonight. I hope they are too.”


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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com