James: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves' injuries hit me hard; this year's rookie class is outstanding.

On April 6 Beijing time, the Lakers lost 128-134 to the Mavericks away from home. James played nearly 39 minutes in the game, shooting 12 out of 22 field goals, 1 out of 6 three-pointers, and scoring 30 points with 5 free throws, leading the team. He also recorded 9 rebounds and a season-high 15 assists. After the game, James spoke with reporters —

Reporter: Reorganizing this lineup on short notice is definitely challenging. What aspects worked well that you can carry into future games, and what areas need improvement?

James: Each game is different; what works in one game might not work in the next. But I think we had some defensive gaps, especially in the first half, allowing too many transition points and letting their key players get to their preferred spots too easily. With our current shortage of personnel, we absolutely cannot allow that.

Reporter: Commentator Mike Diaco noted a statistic: this is the first time in history that a player over 40 and a teenage player both scored 20+ points in the first half of the same game. You might not think about it during the game, but reflecting afterward, you achieving this at your age, along with Cooper's performance...

James: Clearly, Flagg has fully found his rhythm over the past few games. And he has been steady and solid throughout the entire season. So it's really gratifying to see his growth and progress from the start of the season to today. As a fan of him and of basketball itself, it's truly great to witness all this. As for myself, I still know what I can do. I understand the team faces significant challenges, but whenever I'm on the court, I must create opportunities for the team in multiple ways. Tonight I tried my best, but it wasn't enough to help us win.

Reporter: Over the past few games, Redick has been emphasizing "everyone must give their full effort." Do you think tonight's shot distribution reflected that spirit? Not just you scoring, but everyone on the court actively seeking to contribute on offense.

James: We had 36 assists overall, which is very important. Tonight everyone on offense had good rhythm. But to reach the level we aspire to, the key lies in defense; however, our offense tonight was indeed good.

Reporter: What's your take on Kennard's performance tonight? He achieved his first career triple-double with 16 rebounds and 11 assists. How do you think he controlled the game?

James: He performed exceptionally well. 13 defensive rebounds, solidly protecting the boards, pushing the pace for fast breaks, and delivering passes to teammates in their most comfortable spots. This was a crucial game for him.

Reporter: LeBron, you've experienced intense Rookie of the Year competition yourself. Looking at Flagg's performance now, along with Knupel and other rookies, what makes Cooper particularly special, especially after facing him?

James: He is clearly special. I saw it early during his AAU days when he played for a Maine team, standing out even in youth tournaments. From his hometown to AAU, to Duke, and now, he has continuously improved. He genuinely seems to love basketball and has worked hard, so he keeps getting better. This year's rookie class is excellent: Philadelphia's Edgecombe, Charlotte's Knupel, San Antonio's Harper... everyone is making an impact on their teams. The league's future lies with these rookies, and it's very bright.

Reporter: Talk about the injury situation over the past 48 hours.

James: The news about Luka Doncic's injury hit me right in the heart, chest, and mental core... When I woke up from a nap and saw the news about Austin Reaves, I just wanted to say, "Damn — that's terrible."