The Lakers are seeking stability, not by forcing change, but by leaning into it. Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena carried the edge of a postseason matchup, with Memphis pushing early and L.A. forced to answer under pressure. The Grizzlies hold the gear for long stretches, exposing defensive errors and building a second-quarter lead that tested the Lakers’ composure.
Los Angeles answered with patience and structure. Behind Luka Doncic’s dominance on the offense and a perfect approach from LeBron James, the Lakers erased a 16-point gap and closed out a 120-114 win over Memphis on Sunday. The win completed a two-game sweep in a back-to-back set that HC JJ Redick compared to playoff intensity, reinforcing how quickly this group is learning to adjust.
LeBron James’ Off-Ball Role Is Sharpening the Lakers’ Late-Game Execution
Luka Doncic grabbed attention fast, piling up 36 points, pulling down nine rebounds, dishing out eight assists, setting the rhythm every quarter. Just as striking? How LeBron James shaped things without hoarding touches. His 26-point night came with 10 assists, giving it away just once, numbers that spread quickly across X after the final buzzer.
Video clips circulating online highlighted how frequently LeBron operated away from the ball, spacing the floor, cutting from the weak side, and waiting for defenses to overcommit to Luka.
After the matchup, James opened up about his approach:
“You can’t afford to be turning the ball over a lot if you barely got the ball in your hand.”
LeBron James had 10 ast and just 1 tos Sunday. He’s played more off the ball than ever, sharing the court with Luka and AR, which apparently sharpens his focus when he is on it. “You can’t afford to be turning the ball over a lot if you barely got the ball in your hand” pic.twitter.com/5jsdQzAUOx
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 5, 2026
That observation from the viral post captured the shift accurately. LeBron’s decision-making reflected an understanding that each touch carried weight. His assists came organically within the offense, not from forcing passes through traffic. His scoring came on cuts, finishes, and timely drives when defenders rotated late.
The context of the matchup made the adjustment even more meaningful. Memphis, playing without Ja Morant due to a right calf contusion, increased ball pressure and attacked early to disrupt the opposing team’s rhythm. The Lakers absorbed the run, regrouped, and gradually took control as the game slowed. Redick later noted that the two-game set mirrored a playoff series, with both teams making real-time adjustments.
The Lakers showed progress with 12-0 in clutch games. With Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura sidelined by calf injuries, ball security and spacing have become non-negotiable. LBJ’s off-ball prowess supports that structure, keeping the offense fluid and difficult to predict.
With each game, how Luka handles the ball while LeBron picks his moments shapes who the Lakers really are. When defenses push hard, this mix brings calm, steady play and results when it counts.
