The LA Lakers are struggling in the first conference round against the Phoenix Suns. The defending champions were mauled by a massive margin of 115-85 on Tuesday night as the Suns were able to dominate throughout the game.

It was always going to be a herculean task for the Los Angeles Lakers as they were without the services of their talisman Anthony Davis, who was ruled out of the game with a groin injury.

LeBron James scored 25 points but his efforts went in vain. In fact, James left early to the locker room and the reigning champions were never in the contest.

“We got our ass kicked — it’s that simple,” James said after the heavy defeat.

James added that they will need to come up with a better performance in the next game if they are to force a game seven in the series.

“We’ve got to be better if we want to force a game seven,” James said. “A lot to cover and see what we can do better in game six, but they pretty much just kicked our ass, there’s nothing else really to say.”

The next two games will be do or die for the LA Lakers as the Suns have taken a 3-2 lead and they will need to come up with a collective effort.

“It’s literally win or go home at this point,” James said. “You shoot all the bullets you got and throw the gun too. “I’m looking forward to the environment. Obviously the Laker faithful will give us a lot of energy. I look forward to the moment and the challenge, and see what brings out the best in me.”

James added that he is not expecting Anthony Davis to return from groin injury in the sixth game and he is mentally prepared for the same.

“My mindset is he’s not going to play in game six,” James said. “If something changes we’ll go from there, but my mindset is that he’s not going to be playing.”

The sixth game will take place on Thursday.