Luka Doncic exploded for 43 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled past the Clippers 135-118 on Tuesday, securing the top spot in West Group B of the NBA Cup. Doncic scored 24 of his points in the first quarter alone and sank a season-best seven three-pointers.
Austin Reaves added 31 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, along with nine rebounds, while LeBron James contributed 25 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Rui Hachimura chipped in 13 points as the Lakers extended their winning streak to five games and improved to 3-0 in NBA Cup play.
The Clippers, who fell to 2-1, remain in contention for a wild-card spot despite the loss. James Harden led the team with 29 points and nine assists, and Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn added 19 points each. John Collins scored 18, and Ivica Zubac had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Los Angeles shot an impressive 57.5% from the field, including 44.8% from three-point range, while the Clippers made 51.9% of their shots and 37.1% from beyond the arc. The game also featured an ejection, as Kris Dunn was tossed with 3:33 left after shoving the ball into Doncic’s chest and hitting Jaxson Hayes. Hayes received a technical foul on the play.
Reaves sparked a decisive fourth-quarter run, scoring seven points in a 14-4 stretch that turned a five-point lead into a 112-97 advantage. He later added five consecutive points, pushing the lead to 117-102 with just under seven minutes left. The Clippers briefly cut the deficit to 124-115, but the Lakers closed out the game with a nine-point surge to seal the win.
Despite Doncic’s first-quarter heroics, the Lakers trailed 38-37 after the opening quarter. By halftime, Doncic had 32 points, giving the Lakers a narrow 69-66 edge. The third quarter saw back-and-forth action, with LeBron James hitting a three-point play to put the Lakers ahead 98-93 heading into the fourth.
The Lakers’ efficient shooting and clutch performances from Doncic and Reaves ensured they stayed in control, leaving the Clippers to regroup as the NBA Cup progresses.