The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their season with a thrilling victory against the Sacramento Kings, winning 131-127 in a game that showcased LeBron James’ enduring brilliance. Fans eager to witness more matchups between these Pacific Division rivals are likely wondering Where To Watch Sacramento Kings Vs Lakers games throughout the season.
In their initial encounter, LeBron James delivered a spectacular fourth-quarter performance, exploding for 16 of his game-high 32 points in just three minutes. This scoring burst was instrumental in the Lakers overcoming the Kings and securing their third consecutive win of the young season. James’ dominance was further highlighted by his triple-double performance, amassing 14 rebounds and 10 assists alongside his scoring prowess. This marked the 113th triple-double of his illustrious career, reaffirming his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
While James’ fourth-quarter surge was reminiscent of his younger years, he emphasized that relying solely on such bursts isn’t the Lakers’ formula for success this season. “Listen, I could do that at 22, but at almost 40, I don’t need to be doing it for four quarters,” James commented, acknowledging the team’s depth. He highlighted the presence of MVP-caliber talent like Anthony Davis, along with the scoring capabilities of Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. “This team is not built for me to have 16-point quarters through all four quarters. That’s not how it’s constructed and nor should it be. We’re a team, and we all play together.”
Indeed, while James ignited the fourth quarter, it was Anthony Davis who ultimately sealed the victory for Los Angeles. Davis sank a crucial three-pointer and followed it up with a free throw in the final minute, providing the Lakers with the decisive edge. James praised Davis’ clutch performance, stating, “We encourage him, coaches encourage him, we as his teammates encourage him to shoot that 3 ball, and probably the biggest shot of the night is him making that 3, so it made it easy on me.”
Davis himself had an outstanding game, contributing 31 points and achieving his third consecutive 30-point game to start the season. This feat tied him with Lakers legends Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant for the franchise record of consecutive 30-point games at the beginning of a season. In contrast, James had been relatively subdued in the Lakers’ previous wins against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns, scoring a combined 37 points.
Davis lauded James’ consistent high level of play, remarking, “Just when you think he’s slowing down, man, he continues to show the world why he’s the greatest.” He recounted a moment during James’ scoring spree when James considered taking a break, but his teammates urged him to stay in the game. “He actually looked to the bench and was trying to come out the game. We told him, ‘You’re not coming out.’ He comes out and hits another 3. He never ceases to amaze any of us because we just know what he’s capable of and what he’s able to do.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick echoed this sentiment, marveling at James’ sustained excellence. “What can you say?” Redick stated. “We’ve all been very fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he’s able to keep doing it, it’s just — it’s actually insane.”
Finding Future Games: Where to Watch Lakers vs Kings
For fans looking to catch the next Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers game, several options are typically available. NBA League Pass is a primary platform for streaming live NBA games, offering both single-game purchases and season-long subscriptions. National broadcasts on channels like ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV often feature high-profile matchups such as Lakers vs Kings. Local networks, such as Spectrum SportsNet for the Lakers and NBC Sports California for the Kings, also broadcast games within their respective markets. Streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV often include these national and local sports channels, providing further avenues to watch the games live.
To ensure you don’t miss any of the action, checking the official NBA schedule and TV listings closer to game days is always recommended. Websites like ESPN.com and NBA.com provide up-to-date schedules and broadcast information. With the excitement generated from their opening game, future contests between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers are sure to be must-watch events for basketball fans.
