LeBron James, Luka Doncic Lead Lakers to Dominant Win Over Kings

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers, reeling from a three-game slide, a calf injury to Austin Reaves, and a team meeting before Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, secured a dominant 125-101 win to stabilize their position.

“I don’t want to create the narrative of [just] me and Luka,” James said. “it’s five guys on the floor and seven guys that come off the bench. It needs to be all of us. [But] it’s significant that we set the tone.”

James started strong, making his first three shots in the first three minutes. This foreshadowed his most efficient night as a Laker,according to ESPN Insights. He shot 11-for-13 from the field, achieving an 84.6% shooting percentage – his best as a Laker and the third best of his 23-year career.

“I just felt in a really good rhythm tonight,” James said. “Had a good spring to my step,to my bounce and just tried to make the most out of my touches.”

While James excelled in the opening quarter, Doncic took charge in the second, scoring 15 of his game-high 34 points and shooting 5-for-7 from the field.

“I think it definitely starts with us,” Doncic said. “And when AR is back, it’s going to be all three of us. But now, it starts with us. we need to show what we can do and if we are going to do it,we both are going to do it. The group is going to follow.”

Lakers coach JJ Redick noted the performance followed a strong practice session.

“I’m not surprised at the way those two guys played together tonight, because yesterday was one of the best practices we’ve had with the two of them playing together and just sharing the basketball and playing two-man action,” Redick said.

L.A. led 68-53 at halftime and extended that lead in the first three minutes of the third quarter with a 13-2 run.