Luka Doncic and LeBron James lift Lakers to win

The Lakers underwent some soul-searching at apply Saturday, with coach JJ Redick beginning the dialog before permitting gamers to converse freely about the crew’s points.

It was an attempt by Redick and the crew to forestall issues from spiraling out of control after three consecutive losses.

When the Lakers confronted the Sacramento Kings on Sunday evening at Crypto.com Arena, Redick wished to see gamers executing on protection and taking part in more durable.

The Lakers did precisely that, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James combining for 58 factors and 12 assists in a 125-101 win.

“I think it definitely starts with us,” said Doncic, who had 34 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds. “And when AR (Austin Reaves) is back, it’s going to be all three of us. … We need to show what we can do and if we are going to do it, we both are going to do it. The group is going to follow. … I think today just shows that everybody was locked in.”

For the Lakers, it was more than Doncic ending with 34 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds. It was Doncic taking part in protection, illustrated best when he blocked a shot by DeMar DeRozan. It was Doncic hustling, such as when he dove to the ground for a free ball.

Asked how the Lakers responded to Redick’s message, Doncic responded, “very well.”

“I think our effort was very high starting the game like that, getting deflections, getting steals, being physical,” Doncic said.

The win was more than James scoring 24 factors and handing out 5 assists. It was James throwing down a reverse dunk and offering phrases of knowledge to teammates while also capturing 11 for 13 from the sphere.

Like Doncic, James was happy with how issues turned out.

“I thought it was a good response,” James said. “I think no matter who is coming into your building, no matter the record of whoever, you have to go out and play the game. The game is won between the four lines. So, I thought we executed that and it was one of the better games we had this year.”

And it also was reserve Nick Smith Jr. discovering a position in the rotation and producing, one of the six Lakers scoring in double figures. Smith had 21 factors on eight-for-14 capturing, making 5 of 10 threes.

Lakers star LeBron James reacts during a win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Rui Hachimura had 12 factors, Deandre Ayton had 11 factors and 11 rebounds, and Jake LaRavia had 11 factors.

“We played together. We played for each other,” Redick said. “We had probably one of our most consistent games, in terms of 48 minutes of just competitive spirit. A couple possessions there towards the end of the third that we tried to be the Harlem Globetrotters.

“But this is the first game … we’ve had all year that we’ve won all four quarters. So I think that just says a lot about the approach and the consistent mentality that we played with tonight.”

The Lakers (20-10) took control from the start of the third quarter, going on a 13-2 run to give them a 26-point lead that reached as high as 30 in the fourth quarter.

Granted, the Kings (8-24) have the second-worst file in the West and had been lacking injured stars Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Bradley, three of their top 4 scorers.

But the Lakers misplaced three straight video games because of poor protection and an general effort that Redick described as “terrible.”

And with Austin Reaves out for at least a month because of a calf pressure, getting the possibility to discuss through their points may end up altering the crew’s fortunes.

“It’s the very first thing that we all sat down yesterday and graded ourselves on — was our habits, our communication and our shape,” Redick said. “And the guys all echoed the same thoughts that we haven’t been good.

“For whatever reason, we lost our way a little bit. … But I thought the communication tonight was excellent, particularly on the defensive end.”