Key Takeaways:
- Luka Doncic amassed 34 points and LeBron James added 24 as the Lakers secured a 125-101 victory over the Kings
- The Los Angeles Lakers ended a run of three consecutive defeats, following a 23-point loss to Houston on Christmas Day
- Nick Smith Jr. contributed 21 points off the bench, hitting all four first-half field goals, during Austin Reaves’s absence
Performance Analysis
The Los Angeles Lakers achieved a decisive 125-101 win over the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles on Sunday night, thanks to standout displays from Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who combined for a total of 58 points. Doncic tallied 34 points, delivering a key 15 in the second quarter alone to help the Lakers secure a comfortable 68-53 lead at halftime. James completed a highly efficient shooting night, converting 11 of his 13 attempts on his way to 24 points.
W ✔️ pic.twitter.com/Wd2FOUXGqE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 29, 2025
Nick Smith Jr. made a significant impact coming off the bench, registering 21 points and achieving a perfect shooting record in the first half by making all four of his field goal attempts within eight minutes. Head coach JJ Redick had pinpointed Smith as a player poised to step up while Austin Reaves is sidelined for a month owing to a strained left calf muscle.
Kings’ Efforts Fall Short
DeMar DeRozan was the leading scorer for the Kings with 22 points, while Maxime Raynaud chipped in 16. Sacramento had six players finish in double figures but could not replicate the defensive improvements shown in their previous four outings. The Lakers capitalised on this, shooting 52.8% from the field over the course of the contest. The Kings, having only once achieved back-to-back wins this season, struggled to contain Los Angeles’s offensive firepower.
Turning Point and Statistical Breakdown
Following two days of reflection after their Christmas Day defeat to Houston, which included a team meeting and a rare Sunday morning shootaround, the Lakers responded strongly. Their momentum continued after the interval, with Doncic, Rui Hachimura, and James each connecting from beyond the arc early in the third quarter, powering a 13-2 run that extended the lead to 26 points.
| Player | Points | Field Goals Made |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | 34 | 11/23 |
| LeBron James | 24 | 11/13 |
| Nick Smith Jr. | 21 | 8/14 |
| DeMar DeRozan | 22 | 8/17 |
| Maxime Raynaud | 16 | 8/10 |
Looking Ahead
The Kings will travel to Inglewood, California, to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers are set to host the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night as they aim to build upon this momentum.
