LeBron James praised the Lakers’ balanced attack following Tuesday’s 135-118 victory over the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.
“It’s getting better every game… today was another testament to that,” James said, noting the combined 99 points from himself, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
James emphasized ball movement and team rhythm as key factors in the win. “Luka got it going early… we just followed that train,” he explained, adding that sharing the ball helped everyone stay involved offensively.
Defensive adjustments also played a role in Los Angeles’ strong fourth quarter. “In order for us to be as great as we want to be, we got to defend… we showcased that in the fourth,” James said, highlighting the team’s ability to secure multiple stops in a row.
When asked about guarding the trio of himself, Doncic, and Reaves, James declined to reveal strategy, focusing instead on team success. “We’re just three guys who want to see the team be successful and we try to play off one another,” he said.
The Lakers’ close-knit culture was evident during a fourth-quarter scuffle involving Kris Dunn and Luka Doncic. James praised Jaxson Hayes for stepping in to support his teammate. “We are a very close-knit group… Luka appreciates it, and Jaxson looks out for all the smaller guys,” he said.
Los Angeles’ shooting efficiency was a defining factor, with the team hitting 57% from the field and 45% from three. James attributed the defensive second-half surge to sticking with the game plan despite early hot shooting from the Clippers’ John Collins and Kris Dunn.
Looking ahead, James noted the importance of continued growth and habit-building. “Getting to the finals takes talent, but you have to have grit, perseverance, and a hard hat every time you go out there… we don’t want to take any steps backwards even in a loss,” he said.
Doncic led the Lakers with 43 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists, while Reaves added 31 points and nine rebounds. James contributed 25 points, including 16 in the second half, extending the Lakers’ winning streak to five games and improving their record to 13-4.
Los Angeles will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, while the Clippers, who have lost 11 of 13, return home to face Memphis. The victory also secured the Lakers’ Group B NBA Cup title.
