The Los Angeles Lakers played their first game Sunday night since the announcement that star guard Austin Reaves would miss at least the next four weeks due to a calf strain. This puts extra responsibility on Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who played extremely well in their blowout win over the Sacramento Kings.
Doncic led the way with 34 points, adding in five rebounds, seven assists and three steals, while James had one of his most efficient games of the season. He scored 24 points on 11-of-13 from the field, adding in five assists and two steals. That’s exactly what the Lakers are going to need from their two stars to make up for the loss of Reaves.
The bounce-back effort was also needed after three straight bad losses, including a low-effort blowout against the Houston Rockets on the Christmas Day stage. Head coach JJ Redick said that there was going to be an uncomfortable practice after that loss, and James spoke about what changed between the two games.
“I just think the coaching staff gave us a game plan, and we just tried to execute that,” LeBron said. “I thought we had a great shootaround this morning preparing for Sac and we executed that for 48 minutes.”
James has always been an efficient shooter, but 11-for-13 is among the best shooting nights of his career. He got several dunks in the game and easy looks from start to finish.
“I just fell in a, really, good rhythm tonight. [I] got a good spring to my step, to my balance and [I’m] just trying to make the most of it when I got my touches,” he said.
But more importantly, James knows that he’s going to need to step up in the absence of Reaves, and he said he’s willing to do anything the team needs to survive that long time without him.
“Whatever’s needed,” James said. “If it’s a little bit more defensive rebounding, if it’s a little bit more scoring or if it’s a little bit more assisting to take a little pressure off Luka Dončić, if he needs it. Obviously, [he’s] super dynamic with the ball. I’ve done it all, so I can still do it at a high level, if need be.”
And although it was the lowly Kings that the Lakers beat, LeBron still felt there were positives to take away from the big win.
“I thought it was a good response. I think no matter who is coming into your building, no matter the record, whoever, we gotta go out and be able to play the game. The game is won in between the four lines. I thought we executed that and it was one of the better games we’ve had this year.”
The Lakers schedule eases up quite a bit — eight of their next 10 games against teams currently under .500 — which gives them an opportunity to figure out everyone’s roles with Reaves out and to get back on track after a difficult three-game stretch.
But for James, his plan is always going to be the same. And that is to find the gaps of the roster and try to fill them.
Luka Doncic: effort starts with LeBron James and me
The Lakers’ effort as a team was called into question after their three-game losing streak, but that certainly wasn’t an issue on Sunday night against the Kings. Doncic took personal responsibility for the team’s effort level, acknowledging that he and James have to be the ones to set the tone, especially with Reaves out.
“I think it definitely starts with us,” Doncic said of himself and James. “When AR (Austin Reaves) is back, it’s going to be all three of us. Now, it starts with us and we need to show what we can do. If we’re going to do it, we’re both going to do it. The group is going to follow. It’s definitely a bigger amount on us, but I think today was a show that everybody was locked [in].”
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