LeBron James: Lakers season 'not what we signed up for'

Despite insisting playoff basketball is never promised, LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers' season was "not what we signed up for."

Lakes has been on a run of 12 losses in 14 outings.

LeBron James described the Lakers' season as "not what we signed up for" after it was officially eliminated from playoff contention.

James will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005, with a 111-106 defeat to the Nets on Friday ending the Lakers' slim NBA postseason hopes.

Despite tallying 25 points, 14 assists, and nine rebounds, James labeled his performance as "s—y" and said: "Obviously, it's been a tough season for all of us.

READ | LeBron, Lakers eliminated from playoff contention

"It's not what we signed up for. Throughout the year, things happened. Suspensions, injuries, things of that nature. And just not being able to play sustainable basketball for 48 minutes.

"But you don't even try to wrap your head around it, you just keep pushing. Just try to get better tonight, move onto tomorrow, and go from there.

"Playoffs are never promised. You've got to come out and work. For me personally, you just continue to put the work in and see what you can do to help."

The Lakers' campaign has had its ups – notably a Christmas Day win over the Warriors and a comeback triumph against the Rockets in the first game after the All-Star break.

However, James, 34, suffered a groin tear in the defeat of the Warriors and the victory over the Rockets has been followed by a run of 12 losses in 14 outings.

It remains to be seen how many games James will play down the stretch now that Los Angeles is out of the playoff picture.

"I'm probably going to have a conversation with the coaching staff and my trainer and go from there," James said "But I love to hoop. S—, I'm going to have five months and not play the game. So, you know, hopefully I can be in as many games as possible."