“I’ve always loved the players that breathe so much confidence into his teammates,” James said, describing the kind of influence Doncic now brings to the locker room. “That make them believe they’re actually better than what the (expletive) they really are.”

The Los Angeles Lakers return home against the Houston Rockets on Monday following a four-game road trip, and LeBron James is listed on the team’s injury report. James has been dealing with a groin injury,

LeBron James returned from a groin strain to contribute 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the Lakers' 146-115 loss to the Bulls. Teammate Luka Doncic expressed optimism about the team's future with James back.