Luka Doncic erupted for 43 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 135-118 victory over the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, November 25.
Doncic matched his season high with 32 points in the first half, powering the Lakers to a 69-66 halftime lead, while Austin Reaves added 31 points and nine rebounds. LeBron James contributed 25 points, including 16 in the second half, helping Los Angeles extend its winning streak to five games.
The Clippers, who have now lost 11 of 13, were paced by James Harden’s 29 points and nine assists and Kawhi Leonard’s 19 points in his second game back from a 10-game injury absence. The team struggled to contain Doncic, who made seven of 12 three-pointers and orchestrated the offense with his trademark vision.
The rivalry heated up late in the fourth quarter when Clippers guard Kris Dunn was ejected following a collision with Doncic that sparked multiple technicals. Lakers center Jaxson Hayes was also involved in the scuffle.
Los Angeles shot 57% overall and 45% from deep, dominating the boards 38-29 and committing only 11 turnovers. The Clippers managed 52% shooting but could not match the Lakers’ scoring depth, with only two other players besides Harden and Leonard reaching double figures.
Doncic’s first-quarter surge included 20 points in the opening eight minutes, highlighted by five early three-pointers after missing 17 of 22 in his previous two games. The Slovenian superstar also engaged in several bench standoffs, continuing his ongoing, semi-friendly feud with the Clippers.
The Lakers clinched their group in NBA Cup play with the victory, moving to 13-4 overall. Los Angeles will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, while the Clippers return home to face Memphis in their next matchup.
