The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the L.A. Clippers on Saturday night, and forward Jake LaRavia pointed to ice-cold shooting as the primary reason.
Playing at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Dec. 20, 2025, the Lakers entered the game without Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura. Luka Doncic exited early with a leg contusion, further depleting head coach JJ Redick’s rotation.
Los Angeles managed only 15 points in the first quarter, finishing the night at 39 percent from the field and 16 percent from three-point range (6-for-38). They also missed seven free throws.
“We just didn’t hit shots tonight,” LaRavia told Spectrum SportsNet. “We were 6-for-38 from three and missed seven free throws. It’s tough to win basketball games like that. I thought we played really, really hard, but shots just weren’t falling.”
The former Wake Forest forward added that injuries cannot serve as an excuse. “We’re all NBA players, so we know what’s asked of us when we step on the court. It’s a next-man-up mentality,” he said.
LaRavia, who has filled multiple roles throughout the season, described himself as “very adaptable” and said his approach stays the same regardless of lineup changes. “When nights like this happen, I just try to be more aggressive,” he noted.
Redick indicated that Reaves, Ayton and Hachimura are nearing returns, but Doncic’s status is uncertain after the leg injury. The coach acknowledged the “revolving door” of health issues yet emphasized the need to win under any circumstances.
Dental work cannot slow LaRavia
Illustrating his determination, LaRavia recently underwent a root canal after taking a shot to the mouth during a game in Philadelphia. He did not miss any action despite the procedure.
The Lakers will look to regain shooting touch and healthier bodies before their next matchup.
Source: LakersNation.com
