Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James had a special message for Luka Doncic after their dramatic 120-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
James reshared Doncic's Instagram Story, which featured a postgame photo of the two embracing, and added his own caption.
"Yessir my brother!! Great road W," James wrote.
The four-time NBA champion's late-game heroics sealed the win for the Lakers, as he tipped in a missed floater from Doncic just before the buzzer sounded. The victory snapped the Lakers' three-game losing streak and kept them in the fight for playoff positioning.
The Lakers found themselves trailing 119-118 after Tyrese Haliburton converted a three-point play with just 42 seconds remaining. With time winding down, Bennedict Mathurin missed a crucial three-pointer for the Pacers, setting up the final possession for the Lakers.
Doncic, who had been stellar throughout the night, drove into the lane for a potential game-winner, but his floater rimmed out. James, perfectly positioned, reacted instantly and tipped the ball in as time expired, securing a much-needed victory for the Lakers.
Though James struggled offensively early in the game, finishing with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, his presence was felt when it mattered most. Meanwhile, Doncic put on a show, leading the Lakers with 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
After the game, Doncic acknowledged the growing chemistry within the team but emphasized that there's still work to be done.
"It's still a work in progress," Doncic said in his postgame interview, shared by Luka Updates on X. "A lot of work in progress, with the chemistry and everything. But it doesn't mean anything if we don't win. Today we won, so it's great."
With the win, the Lakers improved to 44-28, breaking out of their recent slump. The victory was critical as they continued their push for playoff positioning in the highly competitive Western Conference.
James' Instagram post reaffirmed the strong bond developing between the two stars, showcasing the camaraderie that could be key to the Lakers' success as the season progresses.
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This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 4:01 AM.