LeBron James emphasized the challenges of returning home after a long road trip during the Lakers’ 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday at Crypto.com Arena. “We give all the energy and effort that we had,” James said.
The Lakers overcame a tough stretch on the road, where they went 5-1, with LeBron contributing 14 points and eight assists. He praised his teammates’ ability to finish strong, noting, “We did a good job of settling down in the fourth. Got some stops. AR made some big shots and we get the win.”
Luka Doncic led the team with 41 points and eight rebounds, and James highlighted his rhythm on offense. “Obviously he’s the head honcho when it comes to our offensive power… he’s just in unbelievable rhythm right now, shooting the three ball exceptionally well, getting to the line as he always does, and being super efficient,” James said.
A historic moment came in the second quarter when LeBron assisted his son, Bronny James, marking the first father-son assist in NBA history. “I just always made the right play. I got doubled and he was able to make the pass to the corner and then knock down the three. Definitely a cool moment… for us and also for our family,” LeBron said. He added that Bronny’s confidence and shot development were key: “He’s always been able to shoot the ball at a high level… just getting his strength back and his win and everything, all everything is just coming back.”
Looking ahead, LeBron welcomed the Lakers’ upcoming break after a stretch of consecutive games. “It’s gigantic. We got to take full advantage of it for sure,” he said. He also reflected on his impact in transition offense, adding, “I think I’m leading the league in transition points… Luka controls the pace offensively… I just try to put pressure on the defense in the full court situation and give us an opportunity to score before the defense is set.”
James also praised the Lakers’ resilience during the season’s stretch of road games. “We had some adverse moments… we’re a very resilient team. We understand how to execute late in the game… we don’t shy away from it. We want to continue to build these habits going these last… eight games maybe, and continue to prep for the postseason,” he said.
The Lakers improved to 48-26, holding third place in the Western Conference, while Brooklyn fell to 17-57. Austin Reaves scored 26 points with 15 in the fourth quarter, helping seal the win for Los Angeles.
