Lakers Edge Clippers 125-122 Behind Luka Doncic’s 38 and Austin Reaves’ 29
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The Los Angeles Lakers returned from the All-Star break with their healthiest roster of the season and held off the L.A. Clippers, 125-122, on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Playing his first official game since an injury layoff, Luka Doncic powered Los Angeles with 38 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two steals. The guard drilled several contested three-pointers and scored repeatedly in the paint, pacing the Lakers from the opening tip through the final quarter.
Austin Reaves, cleared of his minutes restriction, rejoined the starting lineup and added 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. He also collected six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Lakers built an early cushion behind their Big 3, but the Clippers—playing without recently traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac—kept the game tight behind Kawhi Leonard. The matchup featured lead changes throughout the second half and came down to the final possession after a late Lakers turnover. Clippers forward Nicolas Batum missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the Laker victory.
With the win, Los Angeles improved to 125-122 on the season scoreboard and snapped a competitive stretch for a retooled Clippers squad now relying primarily on Leonard.
Up next
The Lakers will honor former head coach Pat Riley with a statue ceremony before hosting the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The homestand continues Tuesday against the Orlando Magic.
Source: LakersNation.com
