Short-handed Lakers’ Rally Falls Short in 103-88 Loss to Clippers
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CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers could not overcome a cold start and the absence of key players, dropping a 103-88 decision to the L.A. Clippers on December 20 at Intuit Dome.
Missing starters Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, along with reserve guard Gabe Vincent, the Lakers (19-8) fell behind 9-0 after missing their first seven shots. LeBron James briefly steadied the offense with a three-pointer and two dunks, but the Clippers kept hitting from long range and led 28-15 after one quarter.
Clippers center Ivica Zubac exited early in the second period with an ankle injury, yet Los Angeles’ other team extended its margin. James and Luka Doncic combined for 28 first-half points, but the Lakers managed only 39 total and trailed by 15 at intermission.
Doncic, slowed by a left leg contusion, was ruled out for the second half, further limiting the Lakers’ scoring options. Kawhi Leonard capitalized, helping the Clippers build an 80-61 cushion entering the fourth quarter.
The Lakers mounted one final push. A reckless closeout on Marcus Smart’s three-point attempt was upgraded to a Flagrant 1, leading to a six-point possession capped by a James three-point play. The sequence sparked a 15-0 run that cut the deficit to single digits.
John Collins and James Harden halted the surge with back-to-back three-pointers, and Leonard’s steal and dunk ended any hope of a comeback. James finished with a season-high 36 points in 38 minutes.
The Lakers travel to Phoenix on Tuesday to face the Suns before returning to Crypto.com Arena to host the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
Source: Lakers Nation
