Losing to the Clippers
Obviously, taking a loss to any team in the playoffs or play-in would be a disappointment. But if there is one team the Lakers want to be sure they do not have their season ended by, it is the Clippers.
Los Angeles has always been and will always be the Lakers' city. The franchise has too much history and too many accomplishments to ever have their status as top dog usurped by the likes of an organization with no championships to their name.
The Clippers have always been the Lakers' little brother. But in 2019 when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George officially joined the Clips, they created a legitimate rival to Anthony Davis and LeBron James' Lakers. Thus, the "Battle for LA" was born, and some memorable high-level matchups between the two have occurred for the last five seasons now.
Fans have been waiting on a playoff matchup between the Clippers and Lakers ever since 2019 to no avail. The two teams have never met in the playoffs, and a potential meeting in 2024 would certainly draw a lot of eyes. The Clippers would love nothing more than to get their dream matchup with the Lakers and finally prove to the world that they are on the same level as the Lake Show.
While that is a series the Lakers could absolutely win, losing to the Clippers would be a disastrous scenario. It would not erase the fact that the Lakers still have a 17 to zero edge in championships, but it would give Clippers fans all the ammo they need to talk trash for the next decade.