CLEVELAND — The Lakers prevented a possible catastrophe when star guard Luka Dončić returned to Wednesday evening’s matchup in opposition to the Cavaliers late within the first quarter after taking a scary fall into the stands only a few minutes into the sport.
But what they didn’t keep away from was another double-digit loss in LeBron James’ return to northeast Ohio, with uncertainty about his NBA future past this season.
The Lakers have been blown out by the Cavaliers 129-99 at Rocket Arena throughout a sport by which James uncharacteristically struggled in entrance of a crowd showering him with adoration all through the night.
LeBron James drives to the basket through the sport in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026. NBAE through Getty Images
Lebron James throws chalk within the air earlier than the sport in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026. NBAE through Getty Images
Dončić completed with 29 factors, six assists and 5 rebounds after returning, however the Cavaliers outscored the Lakers 72-44 within the second half, together with 42-22 within the third, for his or her fifth consecutive win.
James completed with 11 factors on 3-of-10 capturing to go together with six turnovers, 5 assists and three rebounds.
The solely time the Cleveland crowd cheered louder than it did for James?
When his son and teammate, Bronny James, scored eight factors within the fourth quarter – a dunk and a pair of 3-pointers – throughout rubbish time when the Cavaliers had full management.
Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Dean Wade tries to get previous Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James. David Richard-Imagn Images
What does it imply?
The Lakers could have to wait even longer to go on a three-game successful streak – one thing they’ve performed as soon as because the finish of November.
They additionally dropped to 28-18 on the season, sustaining their No. 5 spot within the Western Conference standings and 3-2 on the “Grammy” journey.
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Jarrett Allen, middle, fights for management of the ball with Los Angeles Lakers ahead Jake LaRavia. AP
Turning level
There have been two distinct moments Wednesday: when the Cavaliers took management of the sport, and once they grabbed it by the throat, guaranteeing the Lakers have been going to endure another double-digit loss.
The first occurred instantly after halftime, when the Cavaliers outscored the Lakers 19-10 within the opening couple of minutes of the third quarter to take a 76-65 lead after making seven of their first eight pictures, together with 4 3-pointers.
The Cavaliers nonetheless had the sport below management after calling timeout on the 4:29 mark of the quarter after a James layup in transition lower the Lakers’ deficit to 82-70.
Rui Hachimura, who went scoreless in 18 minutes after lacking all seven of his shot makes an attempt, handed up a nook 3 try and turned over the ball on the Lakers’ first possession after the timeout. That led to a De’Andre Hunter layup in transition that began a 17-7 Cleveland run to shut the quarter, with the Cavaliers main 99-77 beginning the fourth.
LeBron James drives to the basket through the sport in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026. NBAE through Getty Images
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MVP: Jaylon Tyson
The second-year wing continued his sturdy season, ending with 20 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists in 29 minutes.
He was additionally the recipient of a few offensive fouls in opposition to James, who struggled to get right into a rhythm for many of Wednesday.
Stat of the sport: 28.1%
After having one in all their greatest capturing video games of the season in Monday’s win over the Bulls in Chicago, the Lakers adopted it with one in all their worst.
They knocked down simply 9 of their 32 3s in opposition to the Cavaliers, together with 5 of 18 within the second half.
Dončić (3 of 8 on 3s) and Gabe Vincent (11 factors; 3 of 4 on 3s) have been the one Lakers to knock down a shot from past the arc till Bronny James made a pull-up 3 with 2:53 left.
Dalton Knecht made a late 3 in rubbish time earlier than the youthful James made another 3, main to loud cheers from the Cleveland crowd.
Bronny James dunks the ball through the sport in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026. NBAE through Getty Images
Up subsequent
The Lakers’ journey will proceed with a matchup in opposition to the Wizards on Friday.
It’ll be their second-to-last metropolis of the journey earlier than enjoying two video games in New York, with matchups in opposition to the Knicks on Sunday and Nets on Tuesday, respectively.
