ENGLEWOOD, Calif. — While the Lakers demonstrated their resilience in a comeback victory against the Nuggets on Tuesday, their 112-104 loss to the Clippers on Thursday revealed that sometimes the odds can feel insurmountable.
For a significant part of the matchup, the Lakers seemed poised for another familiar defeat, one that fans have come to dread. They allowed the Clippers too many offensive opportunities, and ultimately, the game slipped away, resulting in a double-digit loss.
However, reminiscent of their previous game, the Lakers displayed some determination, momentarily turning the tide against the Clippers.
That effort, unfortunately, fell short.
The Clippers, powered by Luka Doncic, who scored 32 points and had 11 rebounds, took an early lead of 18-14. LeBron James contributed 23 points along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. But once the Lakers’ defense faltered, reserve Kobe Sander began making an impact, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.
Those two shots ignited a 22-11 run for the Clippers, allowing them to end the first quarter with a 36-29 lead. By the time halftime arrived, the Clippers had extended their advantage to 64-47.
In the third quarter, the Clippers went on a 13-4 run, stretching their lead to a daunting 26 points at 79-53. Despite this, the Lakers managed to regroup defensively and brought the score to 86-72 by the close of the quarter. Doncic’s fadeaway 3-pointer later cut the lead to just two points in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately, despite numerous opportunities to shift the momentum, the Lakers couldn’t close the gap. With 24 seconds left, trailing 110-104, they had one final chance, which ended when Doncic missed a crucial 3-pointer.
What It Means
The Lakers’ record now stands at 26-17, placing them in sixth place in the Western Conference, just behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are at 27-18.
Turning Point
A pivotal moment came when Jake LaRabia stole the ball from James Harden at 8:01 in the third quarter while the Lakers were behind 72-49. This sparked a defensive revival, leading to six turnovers by the Clippers in the final eight minutes.
MVP: Kawhi Leonard
Leonard, back from a three-game absence due to a knee contusion, scored 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting and added five rebounds and four assists in just 26 minutes. One key play was his assist to John Collins for a corner 3-pointer with 43 seconds left, which put the Clippers ahead 110-102 and secured their win.
Match Result: 14 Steals
In the second half, the Lakers improved defensively, limiting the Clippers to just 48 points on 34.2% shooting. The Clippers also had 11 turnovers in the last two quarters, while the Lakers capitalized with seven steals, adding 13 points off those opportunities.
To The Next
The Lakers’ road trip isn’t over yet; they will face the Mavericks in Dallas on Saturday. This will mark Doncic’s second matchup against his former team at the American Airlines Center since his trade nearly a year ago.
