LeBron James’ ‘smart as hell’ teammate who’s saving Lakers without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

With playoff implications on the line, All-Star LeBron James, Luke Kennard, and the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns in a 101-73 blowout win. After the Lakers lost the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference to the Denver Nuggets, James revealed how Kennard helped keep the Suns at bay on Friday.

James says the Lakers’ win is a testament to his and Kennard’s basketball-IQ, he said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“Two cerebral basketball players. That’s why it’s seamless. He’s smart as hell. I’m smart as hell at this game,” James said. “It does seem like we’ve been playing for a while as teammates, but that’s just the knowledge of the game.”

“Two cerebral basketball players. That's why it's seamless. He's smart as hell. I'm smart as hell at this game. … It does seem like we've been playing for a while as teammates, but that’s just the knowledge of the game” – LeBron James on his instant chemistry with Luke Kennard pic.twitter.com/VAEJhFqR8e

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 11, 2026

Kennard understands the doubt surrounding the Lakers, who are missing All-Star Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, two of Los Angeles’ top three scorers. Still, Luke reminded reporters of James’ leadership and the connection the two have made in recent games.

“You understand why people are saying that. You’re missing 60 points a game. It’s definitely out there, and I’m sure people are thinking about that and what we’re missing. But we also have [LeBron James] and the way he’s been playing and leading us has been incredible,” Kennard said. “These last few games, everybody’s getting a rhythm. We’re starting to figure out what playoffs are going to look like for us — rotations, and all of that.

“Guys are getting more comfortable with it. We’re playing well together, and it’s been fun. I think, no matter who we play, we’re going to be ready to fight from Game 1.”

"You understand why people are saying that. You’re missing 60 points a game … I’m sure people are thinking about that and what we’re missing. But we also have [LeBron James] and the way he’s been playing and leading us has been incredible” – Luke Kennard on LAL being written off pic.twitter.com/9GjCFxWhOq

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 11, 2026

The Lakers have won six of their last 10 games.

LeBron James reaches career feat in assists in Lakers’ win

Lakers All-Star LeBron James joined Jason Kidd and Chris Paul in becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach 12,000 career assists. James finished with 28 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, and four steals in Friday’s 28-point win against the Suns. Luke Kennard added 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting.

James, 41, found Deandre Ayton in the paint for the assist that put him over the 12,000 career assists threshold in the opening frame of Friday’s victory against the Suns.

ASSIST NUMBER 12,000!

LeBron James finds Deandre Ayton down low for the bucket

LeBron becomes the 4th player in NBA History to reach this milestone! pic.twitter.com/8otv7xk5PX

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 11, 2026

Hall of Fame guard John Stockton’s 15,806 assists make him the all-time leader, and that record will remain for a long time. In the meantime, James, if he were to return for a 24th NBA season, would catch up to Kidd, who finished his career with 12,091 assists. Paul is locked in second with 12,552.

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