LeBron James barely misses triple-double as Lakers rout Hawks to end 3-game skid
Published January 14, 2026, 06:20 AM
Lakers star Luka Doncic takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard, left, drives past Lakers guard Gabe Vincent during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers star Luka Doncic handles the ball as the Atlanta Hawksâ Dyson Daniels defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Asa Newell, right, defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson shoots as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, and Lakers guard Luka Doncic reach for a loose ball during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) shoots as Lakers center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Vit Krejci defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci, right, shoots as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers star LeBron James soars to the basket for a dunk during the first half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James dunks during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, left, shoots as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, tries to get past Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Hawksâ Corey Kispert, center, dunks as Lakers forward Jake LaRavia, left, and forward LeBron James, right, look on during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Jalen Johnson defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, shoots as Lakers guard Luka Doncic defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Nickeil Alexander-Walker, right, defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard, left, shoots as Lakers forward Dalton Knecht defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, left, defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Hawksâ Corey Kispert (24) shoots as Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, left, and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defend during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, drives past Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, reaches in as Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum handles the ball during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James soars to the basket for a dunk during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, takes a shot as Lakers star Luka Doncic defends during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Luka Doncic passes the ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball as guard Marcus Smart follows during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Hawksâ Corey Kispert, right, shoots as Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, left, and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker defend during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers star Luka Doncic takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Dyson Daniels defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LeBron James, de los Lakers de Los Ăngeles, dribla en el encuentro ante los Hawks de Atlanta, el martes 13 de enero de 2026 (AP Foto/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, right shoots as Lakers center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers guard Bronny James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Asa Newell defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers star LeBron James takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Jalen Johnson defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks guard Luke Kennard, left, tries to shoot as Lakers forward LeBron James, center, and guard Luka Doncic defend during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, left, is hit in the face by Lakers forward Jake LaRavia as he dunks during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lakers guard Bronny James, left, taps slaps hands with LeBron James as he comes into the game as LeBron James exits during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Lakers star Luka Doncic takes a shot as the Atlanta Hawksâ Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES â After a miserable shooting performance the previous night, Lakers coach JJ Redick said the solution to his teamâs woes was simple.
âJust have to keep shooting, I guess,â Redick said.
And so they did. LeBron James took 20 shots. Luka Doncic attempted 16 and Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton combined for nearly 20 more. The difference, though, between the previous game and Tuesday nightâs was that the Lakers made baskets. A lot of baskets.
The Lakers shot an impressive 57.8% from the field and beat the Atlanta Hawks, 141-116, at Crypto.com Arena on the second night of a back-to-back set. The lopsided victory snapped a three-game losing streak.
âThis was probably one of the best responses that weâve had this year,â James said of the 24-hour turnaround. âUnder the circumstances, the way weâve been playing lately, to come out with this type of energy and effort on both sides of the floor was good, really good.â
The Lakers (24-14) came into the game tied with the Toronto Raptors for last in the league in 3-point shooting (34.2%) and 22nd in free-throw shooting (77.6%) but showed little resemblance to that team against the Hawks (20-22).
Redick said the switch started during the pregame meeting. He noticed that the coaches, staff and players seemed to be in a good place mentally, having put Mondayâs 124-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings behind them.
âThat was evident to start the game,â Redick said. âWe went for the kill shot there to start the third and got the big lead and I mean you can just see the second of that back-to-back (when their energy ebbed.) Kind of ran out of gas and we were able to resettle ourselves and then ended up with 39 in the fourth quarter.
âSo, itâs just a really complete game from our team.â
With James and Doncic leading the way, they shot 55.9% (19 for 34) from 3-point range after going 8 for 36 from behind the arc on Monday.
While playing the second game of his first back-to-back appearances during his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, James fell just shy of his first triple-double since last Feb. 1 against the Knicks in New York â a night better remembered for the Lakersâ seismic trade for Doncic later that night.
James finished with a game-high 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting, nine rebounds and 10 assists. It was his second 31-point game over the past two weeks.
Doncic, who had his left quadriceps wrapped during the third quarter of Mondayâs game, didnât show any signs of discomfort a night later. Doncic had 27 points with five 3-pointers, five rebounds and 12 assists in 33 minutes.
Both James, who has been dealing with sciatica pain and Doncic were listed as questionable before the game. James said he wanted to see how his 41-year-old body felt in the morning before deciding whether he could play.
âWe didnât expect him (James) to be able to play,â Redick said. âHe just said, âIâm going to try. Iâm going to try to do everything I can âdo my normal routine if Iâm able to go.â And same thing with Luka.
âSo, both those guys, I thought just completely led the group tonight and it was evident â 22 assists between them. Obviously, they made some shots too, but I just thought they did a great job of leading the group.â
Doncic said that even though his quad was tender, he wanted to play.
âObviously I wasnât feeling 100%, but in my head I always want to play,â he said.
Ayton posted 17 points and 18 rebounds, while LaRavia also had 17 points and Marcus Smart added 16 points for the Lakers, who had 36 assists on their 48 field goals and shot 26 for 30 from the free-throw line.
Forward Rui Hachimura was back in the lineup but he wasnât on the court long enough to make a significant impact. He scored seven points on 3-of-7 shooting. The 6-foot-8 forward was on a minutes restriction â limited to 18 â Tuesday after missing seven games because of a calf injury. He is expected to play a bigger role when he returns to form.
âHeâs our best catch-and-shoot guy, so Iâm looking forward to it,â Redick said.
The Lakers came out shooting and led 81-60 by halftime, making nearly 62% of their shots during their highest-scoring half of the season.
With the score tied at 42-42, the Lakers went on a 21-2 run to take a commanding 51-44 lead on a 3-pointer by LaRavia with 7:19 left in the half and kept going as the Hawks struggled to find the basket. The Lakers built a 63-44 lead before Atlanta ended their run with a pair of free throws by Jalen Johnson with 5:02 left.
Even the Lakersâ defense, which ranked 26th in the league coming into the game, showed signs of life. They limited the Hawks to 45% shooting from the field and 28.3% from 3-point range.
The Lakersâ lead grew to 32 points following a 12-1 run after halftime, but their defense lapsed briefly late in the third quarter and Atlanta gradually trimmed its deficit to 11 points (108-97) in the fourth before the Lakers pushed the margin back to a comfortable 20 with 6:15 left and pulled away for good.
âWe still can do a much better job of closing out and giving up the right type of shots. But you know that itâs something like last year, when we had the No. 1 defense, teams actually shot better than expected,â Redick said. âAnd weâve done a decent job this year protecting the paint or at least trying to.
âItâs just when teams do get to the paint, theyâre also shooting astronomically high at the rim, too. So, weâre giving up both.â
After a stellar shooting night on Monday, Jaxson Hayes was ruled out against the Hawks because of a lingering hamstring injury. Redick said his leg tightened up in the fourth quarter against the Kings.
The Hawks had won three straight games and five of their past seven but extending that streak proved difficult without four of their core players.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 26 points and CJ McCollum had 25 for the Hawks, who had won on the first two stops of their West Coast road trip. Corey Kispert scored 19 points while thriving alongside McCollum in both playersâ second game with Atlanta since being traded by Washington for Trae Young.
Neither Zaccharie Risacher (knee) nor Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), two impact players for the Hawks, saw action. Luke Kennard (neck) and Asa Newell (quad) also were out for the Hawks.