TITLE: James and Doncic power Lakers to 125-101 win over Kings, ending three-game slide
SLUG: james-doncic-power-lakers-to-125-101-win-over-kings-ending-three-game-slide
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James and Luka Doncic delivered a fast start and never slowed down Sunday night, steering the Los Angeles Lakers to a 125-101 victory against the Sacramento Kings and halting a three-game losing streak.
James opened the contest by hitting his first three shots and closed the night 11-for-13 from the field. The 84.6% clip marked his most efficient outing since joining the Lakers and the third-best shooting performance of his 23-year NBA career. “I was in a great rhythm, had some bounce, and tried to maximize every touch,” the four-time MVP said.
Doncic assumed the scoring load in the second quarter, pouring in 15 of his game-high 34 points while shooting 5-for-7 in the period. “Right now it starts with us,” Doncic noted, referring to James and himself while Austin Reaves recovers from a strained left calf expected to sideline him at least four weeks.
The decisive showing followed a tense stretch that included Thursday’s 119-96 Christmas Day loss to Houston, a lengthy team meeting Saturday and what head coach JJ Redick described as one of the season’s most productive practices. Redick said the carryover was obvious: “We just wanted five guys engaged on every possession, and those two set the tone.”
Los Angeles led 68-53 at halftime, then opened the third quarter with a 13-2 burst in the first three and a half minutes, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Lakers won every quarter for the first time this season.
Supporting contributions came from across the roster. Deandre Ayton finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Rui Hachimura added 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, and Jake LaRavia supplied 11 points, four assists and two steals off the bench. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. hit his first seven attempts and totaled 21 points in 24 minutes, earning the game ball from teammates.
The game was James’ final appearance before his 41st birthday on Tuesday. Over the 56 regular-season games he has played as a 40-year-old, he averaged 23.9 points, 7.4 assists and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 52%. “I’m still battling Father Time,” he joked, “and I feel like I’m winning on the back nine.”
The Lakers, now 18-15, return to action Wednesday when they host the Phoenix Suns. Sacramento dropped to 17-16.
Source: ESPN
