Doncic and James Both Score 30+ Points for First Time 2026

Doncic and James Both Score 30+ Points for First Time This Season as Lakers Beat Grizzlies 128-121

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This is the type of matchup Luka Doncic and LeBron James were brought together for. Both Los Angeles Lakers superstars scored more than 30 points in the same game for the first time this season.

Doncic scored 34 points, including 17 of 20 free throws, and added 6 rebounds and 8 assists. LeBron James scored 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting, along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Lakers came back to beat the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 on Friday night.

This was only the third time overall that Doncic and James have both scored 30 or more points in the same game. They have played 42 games together so far. The feat was accomplished twice before in March, about a month after Doncic’s blockbuster trade from Dallas to the Lakers.

LeBron James, the NBA’s oldest active player who turned 41 on Tuesday, said:
“We were just playing in rhythm. Trying to find ways to be effective. Luka did a great job of getting to the free-throw line. I just sprinkled in a little bit here and there. I just try to maintain a balance and be as efficient as I can be. We were playing well off each other.”

Doncic’s 17 made free throws were just one shy of his career high, while his 20 attempts were his most this season. Overall, the Grizzlies made 15 of 23 shots from the free-throw line.

Doncic and James Both Score 30+ Points for First Time

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Doncic said:
“I was trying to be more aggressive than usual, especially going to the basket. But LeBron was just playing his game, attacking whatever he saw, being efficient and helping us get the win.”

The Lakers improved to 11-0 this season in “clutch-time” games. The score was tied twice in the fourth quarter, and the teams traded one-point leads until the final five-and-a-half minutes. During that stretch, James scored 10 points and Doncic scored 6. Together, they tallied 5 assists and 3 rebounds.

Lakers head coach J.J. Redick said of James:
“He was spectacular. There were some stretches where he was scoring runs, but every time we needed a bucket, it felt like he was imposing his will and scoring.”

At one point, Doncic threw a 70-foot outlet pass to James.

Doncic and James Both Score 30+ Points for First Time

James said with a smile:
“He’s one of the best quarterbacks, and I’m a pretty good receiver. My job is to not let the defense intercept it. He put it right on time and right on target.”

Doncic and James Both Score 30+ Points for First Time

Doncic and James got plenty of help from their teammates. Jake LaRavia scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Marcus Smart added 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Jackson Hayes chipped in 12 points off the bench.

Redick said:
“Having these guys step up takes the load and pressure off of LeBron and Luka.”