The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 2-0 with a 125-117 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, as Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler combined for 73 points at Crypto.com Arena.
Reaves led the Lakers with 28 points and nine assists, shooting 10-for-13 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range. Kessler added 22 points, eight rebounds and six blocks, while Doncic finished with 23 points, six rebounds and seven assists despite committing a career-high 11 turnovers.
Kessler continued his strong start to the season in his first campaign with the Lakers. After missing his opening layup, the 7-foot-2 center made his next eight shots and finished 10-for-14 from the field. He has scored at least 20 points in consecutive games for the first time in his five NBA seasons.
The Lakers also received 14 points from Ziaire Williams and 13 each from Matisse Thybulle and Quentin Grimes. Grimes added eight rebounds and four assists, while Thybulle recorded two steals and a block. Los Angeles shot 58% from the field and finished with 29 assists.
The Lakers took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 39-26 to establish a cushion heading into the final period. The Clippers won the fourth quarter 27-22 and cut the deficit to six points late, but Reaves and Kessler made key plays to help secure the victory. It was the Lakers’ ninth win in their last 13 meetings with their crosstown rivals.
Darius Garland led the Clippers with 26 points and six assists, while Brook Lopez scored 22 points on 8-for-9 shooting, including 2-for-2 from three-point range. Lopez scored 15 points in the first half, but the Clippers could not overcome 25 turnovers.
Rui Hachimura, facing his former team for the first time after spending three and a half seasons with the Lakers, finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Derrick Jones Jr. also scored 16 points, while the Clippers shot 49% from the field and made 16 three-pointers.
The Clippers fell to 1-1 after opening their rebuilding season with a win over Sacramento. They visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, while the Lakers travel to Utah to face the Jazz the same day.
