The Los Angeles Lakers continued their hot start to the season, defeating the Sacramento Kings 131-127 on Saturday night for their third straight victory. Veteran LeBron James led the way with a triple-double performance, recording 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, while first-year head coach JJ Redick earned praise for his role in the Lakers' early success.

James caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of his game-high 32 points in a three-minute span to help the Lakers secure the win. He was responsible for 18 points in the Lakers' 21-0 run to start the fourth, scoring 11 straight then assisting on a Jaxson Hayes dunk before scoring five more.

While the Lakers were celebrating their victory, James downplayed his own performance, emphasizing that he doesn't need to carry the team for four quarters.

"Listen, I could do that at 22, but at almost 40, I don't need to be doing it for four quarters," James said. "I have the luxury of having an MVP-caliber player next to me [in Anthony Davis]. AR [Austin Reaves] can get it going in bunches, D-Lo [D'Angelo Russell] can catch fire, Rui [Hachimura] has been consistent, and he can get going and score in bunches, as well. So, this team is not built for me to have 16-point quarters through all four quarters. That's not how it's constructed and nor should it be. We're a team, and we all play together."

Indeed, Davis finished the game strong by hitting a three-pointer and tacking on a free throw in the final minute to give the Lakers the edge.

"We encourage him, coaches encourage him, we as his teammates encourage him to shoot that 3-ball, and probably the biggest shot of the night is him making that 3, so it made it easy on me," James said of Davis, who poured in his third straight 30-point game, tying a franchise record for most consecutive 30-point games to start the season with Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Kobe Bryant.

Davis echoed James' sentiments, praising his teammate's performance and showcasing the team's confidence in James' abilities.

"Just when you think he's slowing down, man, he continues to show the world why he's the greatest," Davis said of James. "To go on that stretch, he actually looked to the bench and was trying to come out the game. We told him, 'You're not coming out.' He comes out and hits another 3. He never ceases to amaze any of us because we just know what he's capable of and what he's able to do."

While every other Lakers starter had 16 points or more, supporting James' claim that he doesn't need to look to aggressively score from the opening tip to the final buzzer, when he finds a rhythm like that, there's nothing left for L.A. to do but embrace it.

Redick, who took over as Lakers head coach after the departure of Darvin Ham, has been instrumental in the Lakers' early success, earning praise from players and fans alike.

"What can you say?" Redick said. "We've all been very fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he's able to keep doing it, it's just, it's actually insane."

The Lakers' 3-0 start is their first since the 2010-2011 season, when they opened with an eight-game winning streak under head coach Phil Jackson and NBA legend Kobe Bryant. As the Lakers embark on a five-game road trip starting Monday in Phoenix, fans are optimistic about the team's prospects for the season, with James and Redick leading the charge.

LeBron James' Late-Game Heroics

LeBron James' clutch performance in the fourth quarter was crucial to the Lakers' victory over the Kings. After a relatively quiet first three quarters, James exploded in the final frame, scoring 16 points in a three-minute span, including a stretch of 11 consecutive points. This surge was a critical factor in turning the tide of the game and ultimately securing the Lakers' win.

JJ Redick's Coaching Impact

JJ Redick, the Lakers' first-year head coach, has quickly made a positive impact on the team, earning praise for his coaching style and leadership. Players have spoken highly of Redick's hands-on approach and his ability to inspire confidence in the team. Fans have also voiced their approval of Redick's coaching, highlighting his ability to connect with players and create a positive team atmosphere. Redick's contributions to the team's success are evident in the Lakers' strong start to the season, particularly in their ability to overcome adversity and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.

Looking Ahead

With the Lakers starting the season with three consecutive victories, the team's momentum is building. As they embark on their five-game road trip, the Lakers will face a tough test against a variety of Western Conference opponents. Their ability to maintain this winning streak and continue their strong start will depend on their ability to adapt to different challenges and maintain their focus on the task at hand. It will be interesting to see how James and Redick continue to lead the Lakers, who are looking to make a deep playoff run this season.