March 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Image Luka Doncic scored 28 points with nine assists and LeBron James added 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers ended their successful streak with a 128-104 win over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Austin Reaves and DeAndre Ayton each had 12 points as the Lakers returned home a day after an easy win at Golden State and ended a three-game losing streak.
Los Angeles shot 50.0% (47 of 94) from the floor and 46.2% (18 of 39) from 3-point range to begin a stretch in which the Lakers have played seven of eight games at home through March 14.
Nique Clifford poured in 26 points and Maxime Raynaud added 16 points with 13 rebounds for the Kings, who fell to 2-2 after ending a franchise-record 16-game losing streak.
Russell Westbrook had 14 points against his former team as Sacramento fell to 2-3 on a just-completed five-game road trip.
The Lakers have won three of four games against the Kings this season.
Los Angeles took control early, taking its first double-digit lead at 19-8 with 5:55 left in the first quarter. After just four minutes, the Lakers led 34-14 and closed the opening period with a 36-18 lead after Doncic scored 12 points.
The Lakers expanded their advantage by as many as 22 points in the second quarter and led 64-49 in the first half, shooting 51.2% from the floor and forcing 12 Kings turnovers. Sacramento held a 27-18 rebounding advantage in the first half but missed 2 of 14 from 3-point range.
The Kings opened the second half on an 11-6 run to make it 70-60 before the Lakers went on a 13-2 run to take an 83-62 lead with 4:40 left in the third quarter. Los Angeles took a 96-76 lead after James hit a 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer.
James’ steal of Marcus Smart and a fast-break dunk gave the Lakers a 105-81 lead with 9:43 left, and the Kings never threatened from there.
–Field level media
