Despite a commanding 126-99 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James offered a measured perspective to reporters, emphasizing that his team remains a work in progress.
Sunday’s dominant performance had many Lakers fans enthusiastically proclaiming their team as title contenders, particularly after handing the Thunder only their second consecutive loss of the season, a rarity for the Western Conference leaders.
However, for James, the win represents a positive step forward for a Lakers team still in the process of solidifying its identity as the postseason approaches.
As the final week of the 2024-25 regular season commences, James acknowledged that the Lakers continue to experience fluctuations in their performance as they integrate the significant addition of Luka Doncic and navigate the resulting adjustments to the starting lineup.
LeBron James Points Out Los Angeles Lakers Contrast
Speaking with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James noted, “We’ve been pretty good against some of the better teams this year, and we haven’t been as good as some of the teams that’s below .500. But this is a great team to test out to see where you are. But ultimately, it’s about our habits. We have to continue to push our habits. They know who they are. They know what they’re going to be in the postseason. We’re still trying to figure it out, you know?”
James further elaborated on the ongoing process of team cohesion, stating, “With our lineups, with us all getting acclimated to what Luka wants to do. A.R. [Austin Reaves], myself, and make sure we keen on everybody else on the team, and make sure we hold each other accountable. We understand that coming down the stretch, we have to play some really good basketball, but we’re still working on our habits.”
The offense was particularly potent in Sunday’s matinee, connecting on an impressive 22-of-40 attempts from beyond the arc. The duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for 9-of-19 from three-point range, contributing significantly to the team’s overall 54.8% shooting from the field.
Doncic led all scorers with a game-high 30 points, while Reaves added 20, and All-Star LeBron James chipped in with 19 points. Despite the resounding victory, James’ thoughtful remarks underscore the Lakers’ understanding that continued growth and consistency in their habits will be crucial for sustained success in the playoffs.