Almost perfect, LeBron James revives the Lakers

To try to get back to winning ways after three defeats in a row, c Lakers hosted the Kings in a duel between two of the five worst defenses in the NBA. As expected, the beginning of the match was marked by an exchange of blows where there were few stops on both sides. When JJ Redick takes his first timeout after a basket DeMar DeRozan (22 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), the Kings are ahead, and the All-Star wing already has 8 points (13-12).

However, thanks to a LeBron James (24 points, shooting 11/13) very strong in the first quarter, the Lakers lead after twelve minutes of play (30-24). The second act begins with a sequence in which 3 points fall. Malik Monk puts two but Nick Smith Jr (21 points on 8/14 shooting) i Jarred Vanderbilt answered him (38-32). Immediately after, LeBron James offers the “highlight” of the game with this “reverse dunk”, and the Angelinos take advantage of 2+1 Luka Dončić (34 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) for a ten-point lead, the biggest deficit in the match (51-41).

Unc still got it pic.twitter.com/UB0diBcDR9

— Thibault Mairesse (@MNThibault_) December 29, 2025

The Lakers fly away

Sacramento does not leave itself behind immediately and counts on the duo of DeMar DeRozan – Russell Westbrook to stay in the game, but on the other side of the field, the Kings make a lot of mistakes. Consequently, the Lakers multiply their free throws and the deficit fluctuates between six and nine points.

In the last minute of this first half, Luka Dončić scored four points and Deandre Ayton appears inside to allow Los Angeles to reach the locker room with a lead of 15 (68-53). After the break, the home team didn’t give up and started the second half with a 13-2 run, during which Deandre Ayton sent LeBron James into the alley-oop. In the process, the four-time NBA champion nailed the game-winning shot to extend the deficit (81-55).

The Kings are under water, and the Lakers are content to hold onto the lead. Jake LaRavia scores 2+1 at the start of the fourth quarter that gives JJ Redick’s men a twenty-point advantage, while on the Kings side everything is complicated as well as 19 turnovers. Also, the defense was completely absent at the end of the match, and the guests received many open shots. Quite logically, Sacramento lost 101:125.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Another setback for the Kings defense. Sacramento has the third worst defense in the NBA and this observation was confirmed against the Lakers. From the start of the match, Doug Christie’s players failed to stop the Los Angeles offense as good as LeBron James’ start. In the end, the Kings conceded 125 points, but it was just as complicated on the other side of the court. Between the fumbles and the turnovers, SacTown never knew how to find its rhythm, especially in the second half when DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook were more discreet. The only small satisfaction for the Kings can come from that Maquime Raynaud the author of a new double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Lebron James surgically. Sans Austin Reeves, duo Luka Dončić – LeBron James provided in the attack. The former finished with 34 points, and the latter with 24 units on 11/13 shooting. Together, they allowed the Lakers to increase the deficit early in the second quarter during this 13-2 run, where the tandem scored ten points and gave Los Angeles a 21-length lead. A delay that Sacramento was never able to make up for.

The Lakers find a way to win. After losing to the Rockets, JJ Redick pulled the strings on his players and it clearly paid off. The Lakers were more engaged against Sacramento like this great defensive game. With that, the Californians end a series of three consecutive defeats and will have to confirm this Tuesday by hosting the Pistons, who were just defeated by the Clippers.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.