Luka Doncic Emphasizes Playmaking Early as Lakers Halt Three-Game Skid
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LOS ANGELES — On Sunday night, December 28, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak by defeating the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena, and Luka Doncic opened the game with a new approach. The NBA’s leader in first-quarter scoring (12.0 points per game) attempted only six shots in the opening period while handing out three assists, a shift he said was designed to involve teammates earlier.
“Just trying to get everybody involved a little more than I used to, so everybody got some shots up today,” Doncic said after the win. “When we share the ball, when we move the ball, it’s great for us.”
Doncic finished the night with 34 points, five rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes. His early facilitation helped the Lakers establish a quick rhythm and maintain control throughout the contest.
Head coach JJ Redick also adjusted Doncic’s rotation. Instead of playing the entire first quarter, the guard exited with about three minutes remaining. Redick explained that the change, prompted in part by the absence of Austin Reaves, allows Doncic and LeBron James to orchestrate the offense separately for longer stretches.
“Particularly with Austin out, it just gives more time for those guys to be the quarterback without the other one,” Redick said. “We’re going to do this for the foreseeable future and just see how it goes. It’s a longer stretch for LeBron, a shorter stretch for Luka, but it’s not going to diminish either of their overall playing time.”
The victory moved Los Angeles back on track as the team prepares for its next matchup later in the week.
Source: Lakers Nation
