Luka Doncic made his return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers after the birth of his second daughter. He had 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the win, but he wasn’t the story of the game. That was LeBron James turning back the clock for 29 points — including 10 straight in the final five minutes — to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.
This performance comes one game after James had his double-digit scoring streak broken, and many saw it as a sign of the 40-year-old superstar’s decline. But LeBron proved on Sunday that, when called upon, he can still be an elite scorer and carry a team’s offense to a win.
Doncic saw that first-hand, as he was struggling to score efficiently — 9-for-24 from the field — despite stuffing the statsheet. And he praised LeBron for the way he was able to take over, via the NBA on X:
“I mean, that was amazing. That was vintage Bron. We’re happy he was there to save us. He had an amazing game, obviously an amazing fourth quarter. I think it was two or three baskets that were insanely important for us. He just decided the game.”
James had definitely not looked like himself since returning from the sciatica issue that sidelined him for the first month of the season. There were signs that he was simply ramping up and needed more time, but also some signs that pointed to him just not being the same player.
Those signs went away completely on Sunday, as he looked every bit as strong as he did last season when he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. And Doncic was happy to see vintage LeBron return in such grand fashion to help the Lakers win in Philadelphia for the first time in eight years.
LeBron James felt like himself in Lakers win over 76ers
LeBron James and the Lakers defeated the 76ers thanks to the 40-year-old’s 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists. But his best moment came in crunchtime, when he scored 10 consecutive Lakers points on four made baskets to give L.A. the lead and keep them ahead.
He hit two long 2s and two 3s over a four-minute stretch at the end of the game, taking over in a way many thought was no longer possible after the slow start the Lakers star has had to the season. After all, this was LeBron’s first game after his historic double-digit scoring streak came to an end.
After the win, he spoke about what he’s been feeling so far this season and how glad he was to have a truly vintage James performance in a Lakers victory.
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