LeBron James shines vs. GSW and praises Kennard: “He’s an elite shooter”
LeBron James leads the Lakers past the Warriors with a complete performance, while Luke Kennard makes an immediate impact in his debut. Meanwhile, encouraging updates arrive from Los Angeles on Luka Doncic’s condition
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 105-99 at Crypto.com Arena on a night defined by key absences, long-awaited debuts and encouraging news from the injury report.
Without Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry, the entertainment was still there: LeBron James stole the spotlight, while fans got their first look at Luke Kennard in purple and gold.
LeBron James carries the Lakers
At 41 years old, LeBron James continues to be indispensable. Against the Warriors, he finishes with 20 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, leading a team that got production across the board: six players scored in double figures. A mature, controlled performance, especially given the context and shortened rotations.
Alongside him, Rui Hachimura was efficient (18 points on 7-of-10 shooting), while Austin Reaves provided energy off the bench with 16 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in just 24 minutes.
Luka Doncic injury
The most anticipated update concerned Luka Doncic. The Lakers announced that the Slovenian star suffered a mild left hamstring strain and is considered day-to-day. Doncic sat out against the Warriors, but optimism is clearly in the air.
Head coach JJ Redick didn’t hide the mindset of his No. 77:
If he can play, he plays. He wants to be at the All-Star Game and he wants to be there against Dallas as well. He’s working day and night to get back on the floor
JJ Redick
Team president Rob Pelinka, in his first public comments since September, echoed that sentiment:
One of Luka’s greatest qualities is that he hates not playing. He doesn’t look for excuses, he always fights to be out there. Fortunately, the injury doesn’t seem serious – it really is day-to-day
Rob Pelinka
Not by chance, Doncic leads the NBA with 32.8 points per game and ranks second in assists (8.6), in addition to receiving the most votes for the All-Star Game, where under the new “USA vs. World” format he would represent Team World.
Luke Kennard’s debut
On a night marked by absences, there was room for an important first impression. Luke Kennard, acquired Thursday from Atlanta in the trade that sent Gabe Vincent away, made an immediate impact: 10 points, 4-of-7 shooting, 2-of-4 from three, plus 2 assists and 2 rebounds.
His shooting already proved decisive. A fourth-quarter three put the Lakers up 92-88, before a crucial stretch featuring buckets, free throws and a pure playmaking moment – an assist for Jarred Vanderbilt’s dunk.
LeBron noticed right away:
His game speaks for itself. He can put the ball on the floor, create for others and obviously his shooting is elite. Having another ball handler is going to help us a lot
LeBron James
Kennard, too, shared his excitement after the game:
Playing here is special – it’s the biggest stage in basketball. My goal was to win and be aggressive, to impact the game in every possible way: shooting, passing, setting screens. It went well
Luke Kennard
Rotations, injury report and what’s next
It wasn’t just Doncic on the injury report. Deandre Ayton also sat out with soreness in his right knee and is listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile, the front office completed the roster by signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal (team option for 2026–27), rewarding his progress with the South Bay Lakers.
Up next on the schedule: Oklahoma City on Monday, San Antonio on Tuesday and Dallas on Thursday, before the All-Star Weekend break. The Lakers will return to action on February 20 against the Clippers.