LeBron James and LA Lakers expecting a tough Christmas Day test against Mavericks

Luka Doncic 'an exceptional talent in our league'

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against LA Clippers forward Patrick Patterson (54) and centre Ivica Zubac (40).USA Today

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are anticipating a stiff test on Christmas Day when they host Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

"They're a very good team and Luka's an exceptional talent in our league, a great talent in our league, obviously," James said.

"We look forward to the challenge and just getting out there and being able to play on Christmas is always a treat, so (we) look forward to the matchup."

The match will allow James and the Lakers an opportunity to wipe out the sour taste of Tuesday's season opener when they lost 116-109 to the Los Angeles Clippers on a night they celebrated their NBA title with a ring ceremony. James led the Lakers with 22 points before sitting out much of the fourth quarter after tweaking an ankle.

However, he said the injury won't sideline him against the Mavericks.

"I'll be ready to go tomorrow on Christmas Day," James said. "I've never missed a Christmas Day game, so I don't plan on missing one."

Anthony Davis added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who trailed by as many as 22 early on against the Clippers before rallying. However, they faded down the stretch.

"Well obviously, we didn't play to what we wanted to do in the first quarter, and they came out like gangbusters and hit us in the mouth," James said. "We were able to withstand that, get back into the game and make a game out of it.

"They did a good job of closing the third quarter out and kind of spreading that lead and we weren't able to get back into the game after that but it's game one. It's the first test for us."

Doncic and the Mavericks also lost their season-opening match 106-102 at the Phoenix Suns. Doncic scored 32 points but missed all six of his 3-point attempts.

"He's still getting his game legs under him," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said, according to the club's website. "That will get there. But he understands the game as well as any 21-year-old I've ever been around. He'll make the adjustments that are necessary."