Jordan Farmar scored a career-high 30 points off the bench, making eight of 10 shots from 3-point range, and the Lakers capitalized on the absence of suspended Sacramento star DeMarcus Cousins to beat the Kings 126-122 Friday night.
The Lakers (20-39) must go 11-12 the rest of the way to avoid tying the 1974-75 squad for the worst record in a regulation season since the franchise relocated from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960-61.
Newly acquired reserve MarShon Brooks scored 23 points. Pau Gasol added 22 and Jodie Meeks also had 22 after making all eight of his shots, including three of the Lakers' franchise-record 19 3-pointers on 27 attempts.
Rudy Gay scored 32 points for the Kings. Derrick Williams and Isaiah Thomas each had 27 points.