With Luka Doncic leading the way, the Lakers joined the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Cup knockout rounds after conquering the Clippers in the latest “Battle of L.A.”
For the second time in three seasons, the LA Lakers have punched their ticket to the NBA Cup knockout rounds.
Luka Doncic dazzled with a near 40-point triple-double that anchored a solid 135-118 romp of crosstown rivals Clippers in West Group B play on Wednesday, November 26 (PH time).
Doncic produced with 43 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, and seven three-pointers in another masterful performance.
Austin Reaves also dropped 31 points while LeBron James added a season-high 25 markers as LA joined the Toronto Raptors as the only teams so far that already locked up a spot in the knockout quarterfinals.
The first three quarters were a back-and-forth battle, but the Lakers turned the tide in the fourth with a 19–9 run that put them firmly in control at 117–102.
From that point on, LA took control en route to securing the group’s top spot and extending their unbeaten run to 3–0 in the tournament.
The victory also marked the Lakers’ fifth consecutive win, boosting their overall record to 13–4 and tying them with the Denver Nuggets for second place in the Western Conference.
LA will conclude its preliminary group play against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, November 29 (PH time).
James Harden topscored the Clippers with 29 points, supported by 19 apiece from Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn.
The defeat severely hampered LA’s chances of progressing, forcing them to aim for a best non-group finisher position in the West.
They’ll get another chance when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, November 29 (PH time).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.