In a compelling display of teamwork, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 111-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on January 7, 2026. LeBron James contributed significantly to the win with 30 points, showcasing his ability to adapt his game while emphasizing the importance of fellow teammate Luka Doncic.
During the post-game press conference, James articulated his commitment to fitting his style around Doncic, stating, “Luka [Doncic] don’t need to bend his game [for me]. Luka is our [26-year-old] franchise for this ballclub. He don’t need to bend his game. It’s up to us to bend our game around him and figure it out.” This statement underscores the Lakers’ strategy of maximizing Doncic’s unique skill set, particularly his prowess as a pick-and-roll player and shotmaker.
As the Lakers continue their winning streak, having won three consecutive games, both James and Doncic have emerged as key offensive players. Doncic also scored 30 points during the game against the Pelicans, marking the second time in three games that both players topped the 30-point mark. The duo’s synergy has provided a significant boost to the Lakers, especially in the absence of starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who are sidelined with injuries.
Doncic praised James’ leadership, saying, “He’s been absolutely amazing… Just helping me out, helping others out, being super efficient on the field goals. … We are playing better with each other, game by game. And this is just going to be improving more.” The mutual respect between the two stars is evident, as they work to establish a cohesive offensive strategy.
James, at the age of 41, is demonstrating remarkable longevity in his performance. After struggling early in the season due to sciatica, James has regained his form, averaging 29 points on 58.8% shooting during the current winning streak. His impressive performance included leading an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter against the Pelicans, where he hit two three-pointers and assisted teammate Jarred Vanderbilt.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick noted the importance of understanding James’ physical condition on a game-by-game basis. He likened James to a veteran pitcher, saying, “I think it’s just recognizing, game to game, what he has. He’s Greg Maddux at the end of his career. Every night he doesn’t have his best stuff, but he has enough to win.” Redick emphasized the necessity of an ongoing dialogue with James to optimize his contributions each night.
Despite his impressive performance, James is aware of the challenges posed by the demanding NBA schedule. When asked about his availability for the upcoming back-to-back game against the San Antonio Spurs, he responded, “Every back-to-back, for the rest of the season, is TBD. I am 41. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Bank [that answer] right now.”
As the Lakers continue to navigate their season, the collaboration between LeBron James and Luka Doncic is expected to play a pivotal role in their success. The focus remains on creating opportunities for their teammates while adapting to the evolving dynamics of the team.
