LeBron James recorded 26 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers (29-19) overpowered the Los Angeles Clippers (28-22) in a 122-97 victory on Tuesday night.
Luka Doncic, sidelined with a calf strain, watched from the Lakers’ bench. James and Doncic, who are set to form a new superstar duo following the Lakers’ trade for the five-time All-NBA guard, were seen talking throughout the game.
Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura each contributed 20 points as the Lakers closed their six-game road trip with five wins despite trading Anthony Davis. The victory marked their first at Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ newly opened arena.
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 points, but the team struggled on both ends. Kawhi Leonard scored 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, while James Harden had just seven points on 2-of-12 from the field before both exited early in the fourth quarter.
Bronny James made history in garbage time, sinking his first NBA three-pointer in the final minutes.
The Lakers set the tone early, exploding for 45 points in the first quarter while holding the Clippers to 29. They shot 55.6% from the field and hit 18 three-pointers, showcasing an efficient offensive display.
Defensively, the Lakers stifled the Clippers, forcing them into 38.2% shooting and just 12-of-41 from beyond the arc. The Clippers committed nine turnovers, while the Lakers protected the ball well, avoiding their first turnover until midway through the second quarter.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Dalton Knecht provided key contributions off the bench, with Vincent knocking down four threes and Knecht adding 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills, both acquired from the Utah Jazz over the weekend, made their Clippers debuts but had minimal impact.
With Doncic nearing a return, anticipation is building around how he and James will mesh on the court. Their chemistry was evident even on the bench, and their presence together looms as a significant challenge for the rest of the Western Conference.
