James remarked, “Some games are better than others.” “On Monday, I felt nothing at all against OKC. And it wasn’t until tonight’s fourth quarter that I noticed anything at all. Thus, every game and every day are unique.”

James’ left ankle issue had him marked as doubtful going into the evening. When Los Angeles hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, he did not say if he will be able to play or not.

If James has to miss time, Anthony Davis stated the Lakers have enough to get back on track. However, Davis was significantly less optimistic about what transpired against the Kings.

 In the first quarter, L.A. jumped out to an early 37–18 lead with 1:52 remaining. Shortly after, Sacramento went on a 10-0 run to end the quarter when Davis was substituted out for his second foul.

“Malik Monk came in, made a big impact; Davion Mitchell made a big impact,” James stated. “And they made a game adjustment. It made a total 180. Right there, from one quarter to the next, it was the game.”

With a game in Sacramento the following week, the Lakers entered the night 1.5 games behind the Kings for the seventh-best spot in the Western Conference.

 This is the Kings’ third consecutive victory against the Lakers, and it means Sacramento will win the season series against L.A. regardless of what happens next week. This might come back to haunt the Lakers in the event of a tiebreak for postseason seeding.

The Lakers’ defeat, their second in the previous three games, knocked them to No. 10 in the Western Conference.

 Davis, who finished with just 14 points on 5-for-13 shooting and 11 rebounds, remarked, “It sucks.” “Especially in a must-win game that we needed.”

Domantas Sabonis finished with 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, while De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 44 points on 19 of 32 shooting. Off the bench, Monk and Mitchell combined for 38 points on 14 of 23 shooting.  “Some of the things we were in defensively allowed them — allowed De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk — to get whatever they want, live in the paint,” Davis stated. “And Sabonis is wide open if I go aid. Thus, they successfully manipulated our actions.”