NBA results: Cavaliers vs Lakers, full scores and standings as LeBron James, Luka Doncic react

LeBron James says the “chemistry is high” at the Los Angeles Lakers after helping his team beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-113 on a night when the 41-year-old broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA wins record and teammate Luka Doncic eclipsed the most points ever scored by a Lakers player in a calendar month.

Doncic returned from a one-game suspension to score 42 points and surpass NBA icon Kobe Bryant’s record in a month of 578 – set in 2006 – as the Lakers earned a 12th win from their last 13 games.

“We’re in a good place right now,” said James, who opted into a $52.6 million contract for his 23rd NBA season.

“Everyone loves being around each other: we love playing for one another, we love being off the floor with one another. It’s a good, tight-knit group and we’ve got to carry that for the rest of the season.”

Cavaliers vs Lakers: Will LeBron James stay in LA?

Despite his apparent contentment, debate is growing around wheter James, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, will remain with the Lakers.

“I think he’d prefer to stay in LA, but I don’t see him taking that much of a cut,” former Lakers player Danny Green told ESPN.

“He’s not prioritizing his contract as the main thing, but he’s not going to take that much less of a deal to stay home.

“And he shouldn’t, because of what he’s done for the organization and the game. Of the teams that are able to afford him, Cleveland is where he should end up.”

Reporter Dave McMenamin said the Lakers’ “interest” would depend on “what the number is”. “The Lakers are going to want to fit this team around Luka Doncic,” predicted McMenamin.

“It doesn’t mean that LeBron can’t be part of that mix, but certainly not at the $52.6m contract he’s making right now.

Squad was LOVING this LeBron SLAM pic.twitter.com/Md3UvhIJun

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 1, 2026

“If LeBron chooses to prioritize his salary, there will be other options for him including Cleveland. There could be a sign and trade scenario where Cleveland gets off of someone like [center] Jarrett Allen’s contract.

“The Lakers [then] get another big name who’s been an All-Star [in Allen]. If it’s about a [James] retirement tour, no place will bring back the feels, the memories, the full-circle moment like Cleveland would.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick appears to be keen to keep James. “He’s been great on both sides of the ball,” said Redick.

“He’s just doing a little bit of everything at a super high level. Luka may get headlines here and there… but really it’s been every single guy contributing to winning. LeBron has led on that.”

Could Luka Doncic be the NBA MVP?

Doncic’s spectacular form could strengthen his chances of being named this season’s Most Valuable Player, although the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the San Antonio Suns’ Victor Wembanyama and the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic are firmly in the running.

“I’m not the one voting, but I’ve been playing pretty well and we’ve been winning,” said Doncic. “That’s all I’ve got to say.

“If some guys play well and others don’t, we don’t win games. We play for each other.”

Asked about his understanding with James, Doncic said he does not “know exactly how” the pair combine so effectively at their best.

“We figured out how to play together,” he added. “Our ceiling is still higher than what we are doing now.”

NBA results: Pistons clinch title, Rockets vs Knicks

Here are the latest NBA results, which also featured the Detroit Pistons beating the Toronto Raptors 127-116 to win the Central Division title.

Full NBA standings

Here’s the Eastern Conference, with the teams set for the play-offs in bold.

The Western Conference stands like this.

NBA playoffs bracket: How the picture looks

If the regular season had ended after the latest round of games, the Miami Heat would meet the Hornets and the 76ers would encounter the Orlando Magic in play-in matches.

The Portland Trail Blazers would face the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns would also take on the LA Clippers in those games.

The confirmed first round play-off games would include the Denver Nuggets against the Timberwolves, the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers against the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks against the Toronto Raptors.

You can find the latest play-off picture on the NBA’s site.