The Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention Tuesday, marking their earliest elimination since the franchise moved to L.A. before the 1960-61 season.

Los Angeles Lakers Magasin,The Lakers were officially knocked out when the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Brooklyn Nets.

They later beat the Detroit Pistons 93-85 to improve to 17-46.

Their elimination marks only the seventh time in franchise history that the Lakers will miss the postseason and only the second time that they've missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons (1974-75 and 1975-76).

"I don't think about that, to be honest with you," coach Byron Scott said of the Lakers' elimination. "I'm just thinking about the process of this team continuing to get better and just sticking with what we talked about on both ends of the floor. From day one to now, we've gotten better on the defensive end. That's what I've been preaching all season long, so that makes me happy. We've got to continue to do that for the next 19 games."

This postseason absence is all the more unusual considering the Lakers have the most playoff appearances of any NBA team -- 60 in 67 seasons, ahead of their rival Boston Celtics, who have 51 appearances in 69 seasons.

The Lakers' .258 winning percentage this season would mark their worst in franchise history, topping last season's mark of .329, their worst winning percentage since moving from Minneapolis to L.A. in 1960.