Luka Doncic’s blunt reply steals spotlight as Los Angeles Lakers build chemistry with LeBron James amid Austin Reaves’ absence

All-Stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James were crucial to the Los Angeles Lakers' 125-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Guard Austin Reaves was sidelined due to a calf strain he sustained during the team's Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets.It will be a long time before Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic's bromance partner, can support him as the Los Angeles Lakers' number two. Until then, the superstar point guard will have to settle for LeBron James. Doncic and James were left on their own when the Lakers star left early from their Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets. It didn't go smoothly. In the end, Doncic was candid about how important this period is to his relationship with James on the court. Donic laughed and asked: “Yes. It is important. What do you want me to say more?”Doncic told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:“I think it definitely starts with us.. And when AR is back, it’s going to be all three of us. But now, it starts with us. We need to show what we can do and if we are going to do it, we both are going to do it. The group is going to follow.”James made sure to point out that in order for the squad to establish itself as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, other players would also need to contribute significantly. James said:“I don’t want to create the narrative of [just] me and Luka.. It’s five guys on the floor and seven guys that come off the bench. It needs to be all of us. [But] it’s important that we set the tone.”After their severe beating at the hands of the Rockets, things went somewhat better. It was one of the Lakers' most convincing victories of the year. On Sunday, a Los Angeles club that was short-staffed defeated the Sacramento Kings 125-101.Doncic was questioned about whether this was a significant period for his connection with James after the game. The Lakers star responded succinctly. After their Christmas problem involving Reaves, Doncic and James' first pair audition went rather well for both of them. LeBron and Luka both contributed significantly to the victory over the Kings. James's performance was more subdued, but merely in contrast. On Sunday, LeBron had two steals, three rebounds, five assists, and twenty-four points.The two worked incredibly well together. The two-man duo of Doncic and James concluded with a net rating of 28.6 after 18 minutes on the court. Compared to how those stats appeared before the game, there is a significant improvement.As usual, Doncic took center stage. The point guard for the Lakers finished with five rebounds, seven assists, and 34 points. Luka excelled on defense as well, contributing three steals and one block.In the victory, Doncic finished with 34 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while James finished with 24 points, three rebounds, and five assists. Following the game, Doncic acknowledged that as his relationship with James deepens, the team's chemistry will only become better.The Lakers' season record is 20–10. On Tuesday, they will play the Detroit Pistons, who are 24-8.Also read: Dallas Mavericks force relocation of Luka Doncic Overwatch 2 billboard amid lingering trade tensions