The Los Angeles Lakers entered Sunday riding a three-game losing streak. Head coach JJ Redick went scorched earth on his team after an embarrassing Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets, so the team needed to flip the vibes around.
Luckily, the Lakers’ star players showed up, and the team secured a convincing 125-101 home win over the Sacramento Kings. LeBron James, who played his last game as a 40-year-old (James will turn 41 on Dec. 30), offered a vintage performance.
LeBron James Had the Most Efficient Shooting Game as a Laker on Sunday
The play of James has been a huge topic so far this season. The legend is averaging the fewest points per game of his career, and his defensive performance has also been called into question.
However, the King likely dispelled some of the doubt after his Sunday outburst. James scored 24 points, dished out five assists, and grabbed three boards. James shot 11 of 13 from the field, one of two from deep, and made his only free throw.
James’ 84.6% shooting from the field is the best mark he’s had in a Lakers jersey, and the third-best mark of his entire career. The future Hall of Famer had shot less than 55% from the field in each of the previous six games.
Per @StatsWilliams: LeBron James’ 84.6% shooting percentage tonight (11-for-13 from the field) is his best single game field goal percentage as a Laker, and the third best FG percentage in any game of his 23-year career.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 29, 2025
After Sunday, James is now averaging 20.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 50.7% from the field and 31.7% from behind the arc.
James wasn’t the only Laker who came to play on Sunday. Fellow star Luka Dončić added 34 points of his own, to go with seven assists and five rebounds.
Nick Smith Jr., who was added on a two-way contract before the season, exploded for 21 points off the bench. The former first-round pick shot 50% from deep during his best game as a Laker.
Lakers Looking To Build off Impressive Win
The win over the Kings moved the Lakers to 20-10 on the season. The team is currently atop the Pacific Division, and if the season ended today, the Lakers would be the fourth seed in the West.
The team is seventh in net offensive rating and 25th in net defensive rating, according to NBA Advanced Stats. It will be interesting to see if the Lakers’ James-Dončić-Austin Reaves trio will be enough to compete for a title, or if the team will need to make a big move at the trade deadline.
The Lakers have three home games during this stretch, with one against the Detroit Pistons and two against the Memphis Grizzlies, before heading to New Orleans and San Antonio. If James continues to put up performances similar to Sunday, you can’t count this team out.
