LeBron: Lakers Must Shape Their Game Around Luka Doncic, Not Vice Versa
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NEW ORLEANS — After pouring in 30 points during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, LeBron James made it clear who sits at the center of the team’s plans.
“Luka doesn’t need to bend his game for me,” James said. “He’s our 26-year-old franchise player. We have to bend around him and figure it out.”
James and Luka Doncic each finished with 30 points, the second time in three games they have both hit that mark. Los Angeles has won three straight despite being without starters Austin Reaves (left calf) and Rui Hachimura (right calf).
James finds late-season rhythm
The 41-year-old forward struggled after missing the season’s first month with sciatica, averaging 14 points on 41.3% shooting over his initial six outings. In the past 12 games, he has scored at least 25 points seven times and is averaging 29 points on 58.8% shooting during the current streak.
James sparked an 8-0 run in the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter, erasing a seven-point deficit by drilling two three-pointers and feeding Jarred Vanderbilt for a layup. Doncic closed the game by drawing a charge on rookie Derik Queen and sinking back-to-back threes, the second while leaning out of bounds as the shot clock expired.
Doncic appreciates veteran help
“He’s been absolutely amazing,” Doncic said of James. “He’s super efficient, helping everybody out. Game by game we’re getting better together, and that’s only going to keep improving.”
Redick manages the minutes
Head coach JJ Redick likened his job to catching for late-career Greg Maddux, saying he adjusts nightly to what James can provide. “Every night he doesn’t have his best stuff, but he has enough to win,” Redick explained. “I have to call the pitches.”
James, the NBA’s all-time minutes leader, said his status for the second night of the back-to-back Wednesday in San Antonio remains uncertain. “Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD,” he said. “I’m 41.”
Source: ESPN
