The Los Angeles Lakers roared back into form on Tuesday night, delivering a statement performance against the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena. After a tough loss to the Sacramento Kings just 24 hours earlier, the Lakers, led by the ageless LeBron James and the resilient Luka Doncic, put on an offensive clinic, routing the Hawks 141-116 and snapping a three-game losing skid. The energy in the arena was palpable as fans witnessed a team that looked nothing like the one that struggled from the field just a night before.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, reflecting on the turnaround, summed up the team’s approach succinctly: "Just have to keep shooting, I guess." And shoot they did. The Lakers lit up the scoreboard with a blistering 57.8% field goal percentage, including a remarkable 55.9% from beyond the arc, sinking 19 of 34 three-pointers. This was a far cry from their season-long struggles, as they came into the game tied for last in the NBA in three-point shooting. If anyone doubted their ability to bounce back, Tuesday’s performance left little room for skepticism.
LeBron James, playing in the second game of a back-to-back during his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, was nothing short of spectacular. He poured in 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting, pulled down nine rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, narrowly missing what would have been his first triple-double in nearly a year. James, who has been managing sciatica pain, was listed as questionable before the game. Yet, his commitment to the team was never in doubt. "We didn’t expect him (James) to be able to play," Redick admitted. "He just said, ‘I’m going to try. I’m going to try to do everything I can – do my normal routine if I’m able to go.’"
Luka Doncic, also listed as questionable after having his left quadriceps wrapped the previous night, showed no signs of discomfort. The newly acquired superstar tallied 27 points, drained five three-pointers, grabbed five rebounds, and handed out 12 assists in just 33 minutes. Doncic, ever the competitor, shrugged off his injury concerns: "Obviously I wasn’t feeling 100%, but in my head I always want to play." The duo of James and Doncic combined for 22 assists, orchestrating the Lakers’ offense with poise and precision.
The supporting cast stepped up in a big way as well. Deandre Ayton was a force in the paint, finishing with 17 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. Jake LaRavia matched Ayton’s scoring output with 17 points of his own, while Marcus Smart chipped in 16 points. The Lakers’ ball movement was crisp all night, resulting in 36 assists on 48 made field goals. Their free-throw shooting was nearly flawless, as they converted 26 of 30 attempts from the line.
Rui Hachimura made his return to the lineup after missing seven games with a calf injury. Though he was on a minutes restriction—limited to 18—he contributed seven points on 3-of-7 shooting. Redick is optimistic about Hachimura’s impact moving forward: "He’s our best catch-and-shoot guy, so I’m looking forward to it."
The Lakers wasted no time asserting themselves, exploding for 81 first-half points—by far their highest-scoring half of the season. After the Hawks tied the game at 42, the Lakers unleashed a 21-2 run, capped by a LaRavia three-pointer, to seize control. They extended their lead to 63-44 before the Hawks finally stopped the bleeding. The second half saw the Lakers’ advantage balloon to 32 points after a 12-1 run, though Atlanta briefly threatened by trimming the deficit to 11 in the fourth quarter. The Lakers quickly regained their composure, pushing the lead back to 20 with just over six minutes remaining and cruising to victory from there.
For the Hawks, the night was a tough one. Atlanta entered the contest riding a three-game winning streak and had won five of their last seven. However, they were severely shorthanded, missing four key players: Zaccharie Risacher (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), Luke Kennard (neck), and Asa Newell (quad). Despite the adversity, Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 26 points, while CJ McCollum added 25. Corey Kispert contributed 19 points in just his second game with Atlanta since being acquired from Washington. The Hawks struggled to keep pace with the Lakers’ torrid shooting, connecting on just 45% of their field goals and a mere 28.3% from three-point range.
Jalen Johnson, a focal point for Atlanta all season, faced tough defensive pressure but managed to get to the free-throw line and contribute on the boards. His prop bets for the night were set at 23.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.5 made three-pointers—numbers that reflect the high expectations for his role, even if the Lakers’ defense limited his overall impact. Onyeka Okongwu and Deandre Ayton also featured in pre-game prop bets, highlighting their importance in the paint for their respective teams.
Coach Redick was quick to praise his team’s response to adversity: "This was probably one of the best responses that we’ve had this year. Under the circumstances, the way we’ve been playing lately, to come out with this type of energy and effort on both sides of the floor was good, really good." He also acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly on defense: "We still can do a much better job of closing out and giving up the right type of shots. But you know that it’s something like last year, when we had the No. 1 defense, teams actually shot better than expected. And we’ve done a decent job this year protecting the paint or at least trying to. It’s just when teams do get to the paint, they’re also shooting astronomically high at the rim, too. So, we’re giving up both."
The Lakers’ victory was not just about snapping a losing streak—it was a showcase of resilience, depth, and the unyielding leadership of their stars. With the team now sitting at 24-14, the mood in Los Angeles has shifted. The return of Hachimura, the continued excellence of James and Doncic, and the contributions from Ayton, LaRavia, and Smart suggest that the Lakers are poised to make a serious push as the season progresses. For the Hawks, the loss is a setback, but with key players expected to return, they remain a dangerous squad in the Eastern Conference.
As the lights dimmed at Crypto.com Arena, the message was clear: when the Lakers play with this kind of intensity and execution, they’re a force to be reckoned with. The league has been put on notice—this team isn’t going away quietly.
