Lakers coach JJ Redick and star player LeBron James were in clear disagreement on Sunday over the team's technical free-throw assignment. Redick and James minced no words about it after Sunday's 116-114 win over the Suns. The game was potentially on the line when Dillon Brooks received his second technical with 12 seconds left. The Suns had just taken a one-point lead, thanks to his triple on the other end.Instead of Luka Doncic, the Lakers' designated technical free-throw taker, James stepped up to the line, much to Redick's surprise, and missed the attempt, which could have tied the contest. It didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things as James drew a 3-point shooting foul and made two shots to give LA the lead.However, Redick didn't hesitate in admitting that James shouldn't have attempted it, favoring Doncic."Luka and I talked, I thought Luka was going to shoot it," Redick said after the game. "I walked back, LeBron was at the free throw line, and he shot it. I don't know what the dialogue on the court was."The second-year Lakers coach said the Lakers had designated these free throws to certain players last year, which could change depending on certain situations. In that moment, Redick believed Doncic should have stepped up to the line."Luka should've shot that," Redick said.Meanwhile, James addressed Redick's comment on it and instantly defended his decision."S**t, I just walked up to the free throw line," James said. "Why wouldn't I?"James clarified he had no problem with Doncic taking it, but at that point, he just went for it. He admitted it was "unfortunate" that he missed, but said he made up for it later by drawing the 3-point shooting foul on Devin Booker.Until that point, LeBron James was 7 of 10 from the line, while Luka Doncic was 13 of 14. James finished the game with nine made free throws on 14 attempts.LeBron James steps up as a scorer amid Austin Reaves' absence and Luka Doncic's field goal strugglesIt was an up-and-down game for LeBron James, but in a vacuum, he was able to give the Lakers just enough to get over the hump against a gritty Phoenix team. James had 26 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. He also had eight turnovers. After initially struggling with the Suns' ball pressure, James committed five turnovers in the first quarter. However, as the game progressed, he only had three across the final three quarters. James also compensated for it with timely defensive plays, which allowed the Lakers to retain or swing momentum in key stretches.It was exactly what they needed amid an off shooting night for Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves' absence, who is LA's second-highest scorer with 27.8 points. Doncic scored 29 points but shot only 7 of 25, including 2 of 14 from 3.It was LeBron James' third 20-point game in nine outings since his season debut. He's been comfortable as a third option and just as good as a second option when needed.