Former NBA star Kendrick Perkins criticized the Los Angeles Clippers following their 135-118 defeat to the Lakers on Tuesday, November 25, at Crypto.com Arena.
“The Clippers should be ashamed of themselves,” he wrote on X, highlighting the dominance of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James.
Perkins noted that Doncic seems to elevate his game against the Clippers, while Reaves and James also contributed significantly to Los Angeles’ commanding performance. “It’s bad enough that Luka eyes light up every time he sees them on the schedule… but for Reaves and Bron to give them that work as well, it’s just crazy,” Perkins added.
Doncic led the Lakers with 43 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists, including a season-high 32-point first half, powering Los Angeles to a 69-66 halftime lead. Reaves added 31 points and nine rebounds, and James contributed 25 points, including 16 in the second half, extending the Lakers’ winning streak to five games.
The Clippers, who have lost 11 of their last 13 games, were paced by James Harden with 29 points and nine assists and Kawhi Leonard with 19 points in his second game back from a 10-game absence. Despite 52% shooting, Los Angeles’ depth proved decisive, as only two other Clippers scored in double digits.
The rivalry intensified late in the fourth quarter when Kris Dunn was ejected following a collision with Doncic, sparking multiple technicals. Lakers center Jaxson Hayes was also involved in the skirmish.
Los Angeles shot 57% overall and 45% from three-point range, dominating the boards 38-29 while committing only 11 turnovers. Doncic’s early surge included 20 points in the opening eight minutes, highlighted by five three-pointers after struggling from deep in previous games.
The Lakers clinched their NBA Cup group with the victory, improving to 13-4 overall. They will host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, while the Clippers return home to face Memphis in their next matchup.
