Luka Doncic says he and LeBron James must continue to set the tone for the Los Angeles Lakers after they responded to their humiliating Christmas Day defeat against the Sacramento Kings. 

The Lakers halted a three-game skid, which included a miserable 119-96 reverse against the Houston Rockets on December 25, by beating their California rivals 125-101 on Sunday.

Doncic had a game-high 34 points and was supported capably by James, with 24 points, with Nick Smith Jr. adding 21 off the bench. 

And after the Lakers held a team meeting in response to the Houston defeat, which also saw Austin Reaves sustain a calf injury that will sideline him for several weeks, Doncic says his desire to lead alongside James was reaffirmed.

"I think it definitely starts with us," Doncic said. "And when AR is back, it's going to be all three of us. But now, it starts with us. 

"We need to show what we can do and if we are going to do it, we are both going to do it. The group is going to follow."

But James, who achieved the best shooting accuracy of his Lakers career (84.6%) against the Kings, believes Los Angeles cannot think of themselves as a two-man team.

"I don't want to create the narrative of [just] me and Luka," James said. 

"It's five guys on the floor and seven guys that come off the bench. It needs to be all of us. But it's important that we set the tone."

LeBron and Luka showed out tonight.#VoteLakers: https://t.co/KqdNdgwWR9 pic.twitter.com/ROgiW2xHkw

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 29, 2025

James will turn 41 years old on Tuesday, but he is showing few signs of slowing down in his 23rd NBA season, averaging 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 2025-26.

Referring to a commercial he filmed for Nike, James said: "[Remember] when I did the Father Time commercial thing? 

"I'm in a battle with him. And I would like to say that I'm kicking his a** on the back nine!"

The Lakers, who are now 20-10 for the season, return to action against the Detroit Pistons on James' birthday, in the third of five consecutive home games.