“One of the best quarterbacks”: LeBron James praises Luka Dončić after Lakers win

The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to an impressive start in the 2025–26 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, posting a 22–11 record to sit third in the Western Conference standings.

Despite dealing with a growing list of injuries, the Lakers continue to find ways to win. They showcased that resilience in their most recent outing on Monday, January 5 (Philippine Standard Time), edging the Memphis Grizzlies 120–114 at the Crypto.com Arena.

Once again, the Lakers leaned heavily on the star duo of Luka Dončić and LeBron James. Dončić delivered a near triple-double performance with 36 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while James flirted with one himself, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. The difference this time, however, was the timely support from Jake LaRavia, who chipped in 26 points along with five rebounds and four assists to help steady the shorthanded Lakers.

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Dončić’s impact on the team continues to grow, with the All-NBA guard quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. His ability to control the tempo and create opportunities has not gone unnoticed—especially by James, who once again praised his younger teammate’s vision and playmaking.

“One of the best quarterbacks and I’m a pretty good receiver.”

— LeBron on his chemistry with Luka. 🔥

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/sCuL2MAagz

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 3, 2026

“One of the best quarterbacks and I’m a pretty good receiver, when it comes to that. It’s my job to not allow the defense to break that up or steal the ball. And he put it right on target, and made it a lot easier for me,” LeBron said in a media interaction.

The 41-year-old also drew a comparison from American football, referencing NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss to describe a specific type of on-court connection.

“Yeah, for sure. I watched him a lot growing up and he did that a lot. Actually, when I played football I kind of took that tip from him as well and I guess I brought it to the game of basketball as well when I had that seal,” he added.

James noted that this dynamic is not entirely new for him. During his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love often played a similar “quarterback” role, making outlet passes and initiating offense. That experience has translated well alongside Dončić, whose elite passing ability allows James to thrive off the ball.

With injuries testing their depth, the Lakers’ evolving chemistry—particularly between Dončić and James—has become a crucial factor in their strong early-season run. As long as the duo continues to click, Los Angeles appears well-positioned to remain among the Western Conference’s top contenders.

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