After discussing the problems, the Lakers find an unexpected third scorer to end their losing streak

The Lakers underwent some soul-searching during Saturday’s practice, with coach JJ Redick starting the conversation before allowing players to speak freely about the team’s problems.

It was an attempt by Redick and the team to keep things from getting out of control after three straight losses.

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When the Lakers faced the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, Redick wanted to see the players perform defensively and play harder.

The Lakers did exactly that, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James combining for 58 points and 12 assists in a 125-101 victory.

Read more: The Lakers “recalibrate” after Austin Reaves’ injury, three consecutive defeats

“I think it definitely starts with us,” said Doncic, who had 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. “And when AR (Austin Reaves) comes back, it’ll be all three of us. … We have to show what we can do and if we do it, we’ll both do it. The group will follow. … I think today just shows that everyone was stuck.”

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For the Lakers it was more than Doncic who finished with 34 points, seven assists and five rebounds. It was Doncic playing defense, best illustrated when he blocked a shot from DeMar DeRozan. It was Doncic who was busy, like when he dived to the floor to catch a loose ball.

When asked how the Lakers responded to Redick’s message, Doncic responded: “very good.”

“I think our effort was very high starting the game like that, getting deflections, steals, being physical,” Doncic said.

The victory was superior to James who scored 24 points and distributed five assists. It was James who threw down a reverse dunk and offered words of wisdom to teammates while also shooting 11-of-13 from the field.

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Like Doncic, James was pleased with how things went.

“I thought it was a good answer,” James said. “I think no matter who comes into your building, no matter anyone’s record, you have to go out and play. The game is won between the four lines. So, I thought we accomplished that and it was one of the better games we had this year.”

And it was reserve Nick Smith Jr. who also found a role in the rotation and produced, one of six Lakers who scored in double figures. Smith had 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, making five of 10 threes.

Rui Hachimura scored 12 points, Deandre Ayton had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Jake LaRavia scored 11 points.

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“We played together. We played for each other,” Redick said. “We probably had one of our most consistent games, in terms of 48 minutes of pure competitive spirit. A couple of possessions late in the third we tried to make the Harlem Globetrotters.

“But this is the first game … all year that we’ve won all four quarters. So I think that says a lot about the consistent approach and mentality that we played with tonight.”

The Lakers (20-10) took control early in the third quarter, going on a 13-2 run that gave them a 26-point lead that ballooned to 30 in the fourth quarter.

Sure, the Kings (8-24) have the second-worst record in the West and were missing injured stars Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Bradley, three of their top four scorers.

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But the Lakers lost three straight games due to poor defense and an overall effort that Redick described as “terrible.”

And with Austin Reaves out for at least a month with a calf strain, having a chance to talk about their issues could change the team’s fortunes.

“The first thing we sat down on yesterday and evaluated ourselves on was our habits, our communication and our fitness,” Redick said. “And all the guys expressed the same thoughts that we weren’t good.

“For whatever reason, we got lost a little bit… But I thought the communication tonight was excellent, especially on the defensive end.”

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.