Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic said that he and teammate LeBron James will share the responsibility for crunch-time offense after Wednesday's 100-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
James missed two potential game-tying 3-pointers in the last five seconds of the contest. Doncic inbounded the ball to the NBA icon on the final possession.
"He had it going, so obviously we're going to go to him," Doncic said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think it will go both ways. One time it's going to be him, one time me. So I think it depends how the game is going."
Despite the misses, James scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, finishing the contest with 26 and adding 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks. He also cut the Hornets' lead to one point by making a trey with six seconds remaining before Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball went to the line to extend the lead to three.
James said he "felt pretty good" with head coach JJ Redick's play call on the final possession.
"We run the set that JJ draws up," James said. "You execute it. And we executed it. We just didn't make it."
This is the third contest in which James and Doncic have played together. The duo appeared in two contests against the Utah Jazz before the All-Star break. In 61 minutes, they have a 12.6 net rating, according to NBA.com.
Doncic recorded 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in the defeat. He's returning to form after missing time with a calf injury.
"Obviously, it's going to take a little time," Doncic said. "Today, a lot of rustiness for my part. Started the game with like four or five turnovers. That can't happen. So just got to play basketball the right way."
The Lakers rank fifth in the Western Conference with a 32-21 record. They face the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back Thursday.
