The Los Angeles Lakers secured another win on Saturday night, as they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 119-95 on the road. Luka Doncic continued to lead the way, going 9-of-19 from the field and hitting 18 free throws for a 41-point night. In addition, he grabbed nine rebounds and had six assists to teammates.
His teammates also stepped up, including big man Deandre Ayton who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Austin Reaves also contributed 25 points, as he continues his emergence as an offensive threat and potential NBA All-Star with LeBron James out of the lineup.
Expectations continue that LeBron will return this month, suggesting this Lakers team will improve further. However, some believe that the team’s flow and chemistry could get disrupted.
Following the road victory, Luka was asked how the team would work on smoothly integrating LeBron back into the lineup when he returns.
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“Mostly like talking about. I mean, LeBron for his 21st season, I think it is. So he knows everything about it. But I think just play the way we play. I think everybody stepped up on the court, it showed today, like to allow 34 points in a half, it’s pretty incredible, and we gotta keep doing that,” Luka told the media.
The first half featured Los Angeles putting up 65 points and holding the Bucks to 34. They roared back with a 38-point third quarter, but the Lakers ultimately closed things out in the fourth. Luka also had two blocks, a steal, and just one foul in his defensive effort.
“I think one of the biggest things for the team to win is have a great chemistry, and I think we have that,” he said of how the team’s been playing throughout LeBron’s absence.
With LeBron out of the lineup, it’s clearly become Luka’s Lakers team. He’s averaging 34.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. The Lakers are also 8-2 in their last 10 games, and 10-4 overall without King James, who has been out since the season started due to sciatica.
There isn’t an official return date yet. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Thursday that LeBron went through full-contact, 5-on-5 work at a practice with the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers. He called it an “encouraging sign” for the NBA superstar’s comeback.
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