LeBron, Luka say their roles in crunch moments will go ‘both ways’

Los Angeles Lakers duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic have played three matches together since the latter moved to the franchise in a stunning trade. James and Doncic are both known to maintain their calm in the crunch moments of the game.

As far as taking the last shot is concerned, LeBron James took it in 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. Doncic said the roles are interchangeable with LeBron James regarding the last shot.

 “He had it going, so obviously we’re going to go to him,” Doncic said. “I think it will go both ways. One time it’s going to be him, one time me. So I think it depends how the game is going.”

On the other hand, head coach JJ Redick is delighted to have his options open with James and Doncic in the last moments of the game.

“As a coach, you’re excited that you have two guys that can be the passer and be the guy who gets the pass,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of the late-game dynamic between James and Doncic. “But it felt like LeBron, particularly in the fourth, just found a nice rhythm, and I felt really comfortable with that. And we got two good looks.”

James was disappointed after he could not make the last shot against the Hornets.

“We run the set that JJ draws up,” James said of being the guy to take the last shot Wednesday. “You execute it. And we executed it. We just didn’t make it.”

James scored 26 points on 10-for-22 shooting, 11 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks but the Lakers could not come up with a collective effort.

Doncic admitted he wasn’t at his best and it led to the team’s loss.

“Obviously, it’s going to take a little time,” Doncic said. “Today, a lot of rustiness for my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can’t happen. So just got to play basketball the right way.”

The Lakers will next take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.