Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James opened up about the unexpected catalyst for his renewed energy following a tough loss to the Chicago Bulls.

© Luke Hales/Getty ImagesLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena.

When LeBron James suffered a left groin strain during a March 8 loss to the Celtics, his return to the court was less than seamless.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer struggled to regain his dominant rhythm. However, James recently revealed that he found it again—and credited a surprising source for the turnaround.

Ahead of the Lakers’ matchup against the Grizzlies on March 29, the team, led by JJ Redick, had been in a rough stretch, losing four of their last five games.

This included a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to the Bulls, thanks to a half-court shot from Josh Giddey. Searching for a spark, James decided to channel Austin Reaves and sported a headband for the game.

“He (Reaves) looked at me and said, ‘Oh, you wearing a headband?’” James told ESPN. “I said, ‘Yeah, you know, s—, I’ve been a little bit out of rhythm. I need to change the energy in this b—.’” Reaves responded with confidence: “And I said, ‘It worked for you’”.

The headband seemed to do the trick. Alongside Luka Doncic and Reaves, James made history that night. The trio combined for 85 points, 21 rebounds, and 23 assists, becoming the first in NBA history to each log 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 2+ three-pointers in the same game.

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at FedExForum. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

How the headband started for Reaves

While Reaves has donned the headband for months, its origins were lighthearted. It began as a joke during a rough patch for the Lakers in early December, when a 2-7 skid dropped them to 10th place in the Western Conference.

Reaves, who had missed that grueling road trip, decided to switch things up when the team returned. “I just remember when everybody got back, everybody was kind of just in a fog,” Reaves told ESPN.

“So I randomly was like, ‘F— it, I’m going to put a headband on and see if I can make somebody smile.’ They all just looked at me like I was crazy and just started laughing. I was like, ‘Well, I accomplished my goal’”.

Not only did the headband lift spirits, but it also coincided with a major Lakers turnaround. Now sitting third in the Western Conference, the team has embraced a new mentality. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt reflected on that rough stretch and how Reaves helped lighten the mood.

“It definitely was a tough time for us,” Vanderbilt told ESPN. “Coming off that road trip, it was pretty nasty, so it kind of lightened the mood up a little bit. But that’s just him. He’s a good guy, good teammate. Always positive and just being a light and a joy to our team”.

Kendrick Perkins: Reaves is the Lakers’ X-factor

Following the Lakers’ last-second win over the Pacers, thanks to a clutch LeBron James basket, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins praised Reaves as the driving force behind the team’s resurgence.

“Luka did his thing offensively, he put on a clinic, that’s what Luka does,” Perkins said on ESPN. “Rui Hachimura hit some big threes in the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves was the X-factor [in the win over the Pacers]. It’s the trust that JJ Redick, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic have in him”.

The 2008 NBA champion believes Reaves could be crucial for the Lakers in the postseason. “If the Lakers are going to make a deep run in the playoffs, it’s going to be because of games like this behind Austin Reaves,” Perkins added.