The LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers will meet Thursday night at the Intuit Dome, but the two teams enter the matchup heading in noticeably different directions.
Janis Carr of The Orange County Register notes that since their last meeting on December 20, their trajectories have sharply diverged.
After stumbling out of the gate earlier in the season, the Clippers have surged back into the picture, putting together a 13-2 run that has positioned them slightly ahead in the race for the Western Conference’s final play-in spot.
Their recent consistency has helped stabilize a season that once appeared headed off course.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have struggled to maintain momentum.
They have lost five of their last eight games and are now beginning the second half of an eight-game road trip, one forced by the annual Grammy Awards at their home arena.
The extended stretch away from home adds another layer of difficulty for a team searching for rhythm.
Following Tuesday’s win in Denver, Luka Doncic emphasized the importance of starting the trip on the right note.
“I never been a part of a road trip that’s eight games, but it’s definitely very important to get the first one,” Doncic said after Tuesday’s victory at Denver.
“It’s never easy to play here. And the way we stayed together the whole game was impressive. And I think that builds us up.”
Pacific Notes: Kuminga, Clippers, Lakers, Leonard, Ayton https://t.co/ZDWjYaGYwb pic.twitter.com/iurMzqChW5
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 22, 2026
