Lakers Coast Past Kings 125-101 to Halt Three-Game Slide
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The Los Angeles Lakers ended a string of three lopsided defeats by overpowering the Sacramento Kings 125-101 on Sunday night, Dec. 28, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Still without injured guards Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent and center Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles improved to 20-10. Sacramento fell behind early and never recovered.
Early spark from James, steady answer by DeRozan
LeBron James opened with six quick points, including a forceful dunk that put the Lakers ahead 8-4. Kings guard DeMar DeRozan matched the veteran’s energy, scoring eight of his own to keep the visitors close.
Once James went to the bench, Luka Dončić provided scoring punch with a three-pointer and free throws. James returned to sink a buzzer-beating jumper that closed the first quarter with Los Angeles in front 30-24.
Bench delivers in second quarter
Rookie guard Nick Smith Jr., slated for more minutes while Reaves heals, opened the second period with five straight points. Jarred Vanderbilt drilled a corner three and Jake LaRavia converted a three-point play before Dončić fed James for a reverse dunk that stretched the margin to nine.
Despite DeRozan’s continued mid-range scoring, the Lakers controlled the half defensively. Dončić capped the period with a strong finish, sending Los Angeles to intermission up 68-53.
Lead balloons after halftime
Three-point shots from Dončić, James and Rui Hachimura pushed the advantage early in the third. Smith stayed perfect from the field, hitting his first seven attempts. The Lakers led 99-80 after Sacramento beat the horn with a late triple.
Comfortable close in the fourth
LaRavia’s three-point play and a corner three from Smith widened the gap in the final quarter. James followed with a conventional three-point play before both coaches emptied their benches.
What’s next
Los Angeles wraps up 2025 on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons, then opens 2026 with consecutive games versus the Memphis Grizzlies.
Source: LakersNation.com
