Lakers underwent introspection during Saturday's training session with the coach JJ Redick start a conversation before allowing players to talk freely about team issues.
This was an attempt by Redick and his team to prevent the situation from getting out of control after three defeats in a row.
When the Lakers faced the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, Redick wanted the players to step up defensively and play harder.
The Lakers did just that Luka Doncic And LeBron James totaled 58 points and 12 assists for 125-101 win.
“I think it starts with us,” said Doncic, who had 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. “And when AR (Austin Reeves) comes back, there will be three of us… We need to show what we can do, and if we're going to do it, we'll both do it. The group will follow us… I think today just shows that everyone was locked in.”
For the Lakers, it was better than Doncic's 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Doncic played defense, best demonstrated when he blocked DeMar DeRozan's shot. It was Doncic's hustle, like when he dove to the floor for the ball.
Asked how the Lakers responded to Redick's message, Doncic responded, “Very well.”
“I think we put a lot of effort into starting the game that way: rebounding the ball, stealing the ball and being physical,” Doncic said.
Lakers star Luka Doncic controls the ball in front of Sacramento Kings center Maxime Reynaud during the first half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The win was dominated by James, who scored 24 points and dished out five assists. It was James who made the reverse dunk and offered words of wisdom to his teammates while also making 11 of 13 from the field.
Like Doncic, James was happy with how things turned out.
“I think that’s a good answer,” James said. “I think no matter who walks into your building, no matter who serves, you have to go out and play the game. The game is won between the four lines. So, I think we delivered on that and it was one of the best games we've had this year.”
And backup Nick Smith Jr. found a role in the rotation and production, with one of six Lakers scoring in double figures. Smith scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and made five of 10 threes.
Lakers star LeBron James reacts after their win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Rui Hachimura scored 12 points, Deandre Ayton had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Jake LaRavia had 11 points.
“We played together. We played for each other,” Redick said. “We probably had one of the most consistent games, in terms of 48 minutes of just being competitive. By the end of the third, we were trying to get a couple of possessions going, trying to be the Harlem Globetrotters.”
“But this is the first game… all year we've won all four quarters. So I think that says a lot about the approach and the consistent mentality that we played with tonight.”
The Lakers (20-10) took control early in the third quarter, going on a 13-2 run that gave them a 26-point lead that reached 30 points in the fourth quarter.
Of course, the Kings (8-24) have the second-worst record in the West and are missing injured stars Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Bradley, three of their top four scorers.
But the Lakers have lost three games in a row due to poor defense and an overall effort that Redick called “horrible.”
And with Austin Reeves sidelined for at least a month with a calf strain, being able to talk about his issues could ultimately change the team's fortunes.
“That’s the very first thing we sat down and assessed ourselves on yesterday, our habits, our communication and our form,” Redick said. “And all the guys repeated the same thoughts, that we weren’t good.
“For some reason we got a little lost… But I thought the communication was excellent tonight, especially on defense.”
