LOS ANGELES — The first game at Crypto.com Arena looked a lot like the others this season at the venue formerly known as Staples Center.  

The Lakers lost to the Brooklyn Nets, 122-115, in a Christmas Day game that featured a massive fourth-quarter Lakers comeback but, in the end, another loss.

Nets guard Patty Mills tied a career-high with 34 points as the Lakers dropped a fifth consecutive game for the first time since March 2019. Anthony Davis was still with New Orleans back then.

The Lakers’ defense was shaky again as they drifted two games below .500 and into eighth place in the Western Conference.

It appeared the game was doomed after the Lakers trailed by 23 early in the fourth quarter. At home. Against a team playing without the potential NBA MVP.

The Lakers (16-18) finally discovered some semblance of a defense that sparked a 17-0 run early in the fourth quarter.

In the final minute, they even tied the score, but Nic Claxton converted a 3-point play after an alley-oop dunk and foul. Then Russell Westbrook failed to convert a dunk after coming up short and hitting the rim. Two free throws by James Harden put Brooklyn up, 120-115, with 20.6 seconds left.

None of this losing is LeBron James’ fault.

He had 39 points, nine rebounds and seven assists Saturday. He drilled a 30-foot three-pointer to bring the Lakers within 115-113 down the stretch. He then found Malik Monk for a lay-up to tie the score on the Lakers’ next possession.

In the bigger historical picture, James passed Kobe Bryant for most points on Christmas Day, amassing 422 in his lengthy NBA career. He has also surpassed the 30-point mark in four straight games.

“I hate that that’s wasted on losses,” said Lakers assistant coach David Fizdale, adding that James was “just spectacular” lately.

“I don’t really care about the way I play if it comes in a loss,” James said.

James Harden had 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists after a two-week hiatus because of COVID-19 health protocols. He had plenty of help from Mills, who the Lakers eyed as a free agent back in August before he signed with Brooklyn. Mills made eight three-pointers and added seven assists Saturday.

Russell Westbrook notched a triple-double, but it masked an inefficient night. He made only four of 20 shots and was a minus-23 on the court.

Carmelo Anthony started the second half in place of center Dwight Howard as the Lakers went with a small-ball lineup. It did not seem to help. In a near mirror image of the first quarter, Brooklyn scored 36 points in the third and led 102-82.

The Lakers were again without a litany of players because of COVID-19 protocols, and of course, Davis is out at least three more weeks because of a sprained knee ligament.

But Brooklyn (22-9) was also far from full strength.

Kevin Durant sat out because of COVID-19 guidelines, interrupting his MVP-like season. In the midst of a productive bounce-back season, Kyrie Irving and center LaMarcus Aldridge were also sidelined because of Covid-19- protocols.

The Lakers now have a quick two-game trip to Memphis and Houston before returning home.