LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 36 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 132-122 win over Sacramento on Saturday night in the Kings’ first game under interim coach Doug Christie.

LeBron James didn’t play for the Lakers due to illness, but a balanced performance helped make up for his absence, led by Austin Reaves with 26 points and a career-high 16 assists. Rui Hachimura had 21 points, Max Christie contributed 16 and Dalton Knecht had 18 off the bench.

Playing for the first time since Mike Brown’s controversial firing on Friday, De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and 12 assists, while DeMar DeRozan had 25 points.

Los Angeles scored 12 straight points at the end of the third period to start the fourth, opening up a 20-point lead.

Sacramento got within 123-117 with less than four minutes left, but Reaves and Christie made sure the home team held on.

Takeaways

Kings: Doug Christie lasted 15 years in the NBA because of his commitment to defense. That’s what he needs to teach his team after the Kings gave up 33 free throw attempts.

Lakers: Reaves’ playmaking isn’t as important when James is in the lineup, but he can distribute the ball when he needs it.

Key moment

Domantas Sabonis picked up his fifth foul with 4:17 left in the third, and the power forward was missed as the Lakers pulled away by attacking the paint while sitting on the bench. He would draw a foul with 5:20 to play.

Key statistics

The Lakers are now 2-1 without James in the lineup, with Hachimura helping in both wins. He had 23 against Portland on December 8th.

Next

The Kings host Dallas on Monday and the Lakers continue their four-game home series against Cleveland on Tuesday.

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