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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after their loss to the Denver Nuggets during game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 20, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Once again, all eyes are on Luka Doncic as the Los Angeles Lakers star dominated on night two of a back-to-back set. This time, the Lakers took care of business against the Miami Heat on the road.
Heading into the game, the Lakers listed three starters on the injury report. Luka, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves were all in question due to different setbacks for each player. They were all cleared to play, and they needed to check in for some heavy minutes to keep the ball rolling.
Doncic dropped 40 points on 48% shooting from the field against the Rockets on the night before the Lakers-Heat matchup in Florida. The superstar guard put up 60 points in 37 minutes against the Heat.
The Lakers defeated Miami 134-126.
After the game, Doncic explained what’s been going right personally, but he also credited LeBron James’ sidekick role for being a primary reason behind their recent success.
“I feel like my three-ball is going well, and I’m attacking a lot in the paint,” Doncic said of himself. “Just trying to read the game, you know?”
Luka Doncic Makes Feelings Clear on LeBron James’ Game vs Heat
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with teammates after making a three pointer in the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
“He was great, I mean, like I said yesterday, without him we don’t win,” Doncic said in his postgame interview. “The way he’s playing, it’s incredible to see. Incredible to watch.”
LeBron James has spent the majority of his career being the 1A superstar for his teams. While he has played on superteams, he’s the NBA’s all-time scoring leader for a reason.
But just because he’s playing sidekick on nights where Doncic is going off for 40-plus points doesn’t mean he’s not a critical piece to the Lakers’ success.
During the Lakers’ March 18 matchup against the Rockets, LeBron checked in for 34 minutes. He scored 30 points while shooting 13-14 from the field. James also contributed five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
The Lakers took down the Rockets with a 124-116 victory on night one.
Amid Luka’s second-straight masterclass against the Heat, James shot 8-12 from the field to score 19 points in 38 minutes. James contributed a triple-double with 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers improved to 44-25 on the season by beating the Heat. They have now won eight games in a row and picked up nine victories over their last 10 games.