Devastating stretch of the schedule will test what Lakers have learned thus far

If one is to believe that sports are cyclical, then the Los Angeles Lakers are in danger of entering an all-too-familiar downward spiral. In the span of their first 28 games, the Lakers will have gone on two extended road trips—a statement that only scratches the surface of the unfavorable schedule.

In just under two months, the Lakers will have played three back-to-backs and 15 road games—which somehow still doesn't do their upcoming journey justice.

Los Angeles began its season with a back-to-back in its second and third games of the year. It followed those outings by embarking on a five-game road trip, during which time the team lost four of its five encounters—including two blowout losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies respectively.

The Lakers have responded well, winning six of their past eight games, but a current two-game slide has created less than ideal momentum heading into an even more challenging stretch.

Los Angeles will play its next two games on the road, facing the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. To make matters worse, those games will be played on consecutive days—marking the second back-to-back of the season for JJ Redick and company.

The purple and gold will then close out November with a home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder—a daunting challenge that only briefly interrupts a month to dread.

The next month will be the most challenging of the Lakers' season

Two days after playing the Thunder, the Lakers will head out for a four-game road trip. It'll head home to face the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, only to play the Sacramento Kings in consecutive away games on Dec. 19 and Dec. 21—with the interruption leaving space for NBA Cup games, meaning more outings are on the way.

Throw in a home game against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 23, and a Christmas road game against the Golden State Warriors, and you have the month to dread.

Between Nov. 26 and Dec. 25, the Lakers will play a minimum of 12 games. That's not the most horrible fact to consider, but it's contextualized by the fact that nine of the 12 scheduled outings will be played on the road—including two separate back-to-backs.

In addition to the aforementioned games in Phoenix and San Antonio being held on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, the Lakers will play the Utah Jazz on Dec. 1 and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 2.

The only home games the Lakers are currently scheduled to play will come after multiple road outings—and there will be no consecutive stints at the Crypto.com Arena. Considering the last time Los Angeles had a stretch like this it went 1-4, it's hard to be anything other than concerned.

The Lakers will have several home stands before their next road trip begins in late January, but the next month of the season could go a long way toward influencing their postseason aspirations.