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LOS ANGELES — In a spectacular showcase, Luka Doncic and LeBron James united to deliver a thrilling performance for the Los Angeles Lakers. Both stars surpassed the 30-point mark for the first time this season, showcasing their synergy on the court.
Doncic dazzled with 34 points, sinking 17 of 20 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out eight assists. Meanwhile, James contributed 31 points, shooting an impressive 12-of-18, alongside nine rebounds and six assists.
The Lakers mounted a comeback to secure a 128-121 win against the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

This marked the third occasion that both Doncic and James scored 30 or more points in the same game, and their 42nd game playing together since Doncic’s high-profile trade from Dallas in February.
“Playing in rhythm is key. We’re always finding ways to be effective,” said James, the NBA’s most seasoned player, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Tuesday. “Luka excelled at getting to the line. I aimed to contribute steadily and efficiently. We complemented each other perfectly.”
Doncic’s 17 made free throws were one off his career high, while his 20 attempts were a season high. As a team, the Grizzlies were 15 of 23 from the line.
“Just trying to get downhill a lot more than usual for me,” Doncic said. “But for him, he’s just playing his game, attacking whatever he sees, being efficient and helping us win the games.”
The Lakers improved to 11-0 in clutch-time wins this season. The game was tied twice in the fourth, when the teams traded one-point leads until the final 5 1/2 minutes. James had 10 points in the period and Doncic had six. They combined for five assists and three rebounds.

“He was phenomenal,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said about James. “There was just a few stretches there where they made runs and the response from him, it felt like nearly every time we needed a bucket, he just kind of willed it.”
Doncic hit James with a 70-foot outlet pass at one point.
“One of the best quarterbacks and I’m a pretty good receiver when it comes to that,” James said. “It’s my job to not allow the defense to break that up or steal the ball. He put it on time and on target for me.”
Doncic and James got plenty of help from their teammates. Jake LaRavia had 21 points and nine rebounds and Marcus Smart had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Jaxson Hayes added 12 points off the bench.
“Them doing that, it actually takes the pressure and the load off LeBron and Luka,” Redick said.