Luka Doncic and LeBron James Shine in Lakers’ Victory Over Clippers
In an exciting city rivalry matchup, Luka Doncic led the charge with 43 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds, while LeBron James contributed 25 points, solidifying the Los Angeles Lakers’ fifth consecutive victory, with a final score of 135-118 over the LA Clippers.
Doncic tied his season-high score with 32 points in the first half, adding his 51st game with at least 40 points in his career. Although he fell short of his tenth triple-double with 40 points, the Lakers secured their group with their third consecutive win in the tournament.
Austin Reaves also had an outstanding performance with 31 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games.
LeBron James, showing his best form in his twenty-third season in the NBA, scored 16 points in the second half, contributing to the Lakers’ consistent lead.
James Harden, for his part, continued his scoring streak with 29 points and nine assists for the Clippers, who have suffered 11 losses in their last 13 games. Kawhi Leonard contributed 19 points in his second game after a 10-game absence due to an injury.
The encounter between these city rivals had a tense moment when Clippers guard Kris Dunn was ejected with 3:33 left, after taking down Doncic with a hit to the back. Doncic confronted Dunn, who pushed the ball against Doncic’s chest, before Lakers center Jaxson Hayes pushed Dunn in the back. Dunn responded with a slap at Hayes, who also received a technical foul.
Doncic started the game with his fourth-highest scoring of the season, hitting his first five three-point attempts and scoring 20 points in the first eight minutes. In addition, he maintained an exchange of words and glances with the Clippers’ bench, continuing a friendly rivalry that predates his arrival at the Lakers.
