Lead
In their first contest after the All-Star break, the Lakers edged the Clippers 125-122 in a close finish on Sunday. The game featured big scoring nights from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and late free-throw pressure that decided the outcome. Kawhi Leonard left late with ankle soreness, and the Clippers missed a desperation 3 as time expired. The result kept the Lakers’ momentum as they head to Boston next.
Key Takeaways
- The Lakers defeated the Clippers 125-122 in the first game back from the All-Star break.
- Luka Doncic totaled 38 points, six rebounds and 11 assists, including 17 points in the first quarter.
- Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 29 points, adding six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- LeBron James posted 13 points and 11 assists; Marcus Smart contributed seven points late in the game.
- The Clippers dominated second-chance points 14-2 in the first half, a factor in their comeback attempts.
- Kawhi Leonard scored prolifically in the first half (21 by halftime) but exited in the fourth with ankle soreness.
- Luka and Reaves combined for multiple late-game scoring plays; two late free throws by Doncic helped seal the win.
Background
The matchup was the first meeting for both teams since the All-Star break, giving coaches and players a reset before the playoff push. The Lakers have leaned on a balance of veterans and role players this season, while the Clippers have relied on stars to carry much of their offense. Historically, games between these two Los Angeles teams are closely contested and often decided in the final minutes, making late-game execution a recurring theme. With both teams jockeying for seeding and rhythm, the early-March slate magnifies each result for momentum and matchup preparation.
Roster availability and short breaks around the All-Star period can shift rotations, and both teams showed signs of that adjustment tonight. The Lakers got scoring from nontraditional sources, while the Clippers showed depth through contributions on second-chance opportunities. Coaching decisions on rotations and late-game matchups took on added importance as the clock wound down. Injuries and load management remain a backdrop, with Leonard’s late departure underscoring that point.
Main Event
The game opened with Brook Lopez scoring quickly for the Clippers before Austin Reaves answered for the Lakers; both players produced early spurts. The Lakers’ offense warmed up in the first quarter, at one point shooting as high as 80 percent from the floor, and LeBron James supplied a quick seven-point burst that helped establish an early edge. By the end of the first period the purple and gold carried a 12-point lead.
In the second quarter the Clippers mounted a response. Benedict Mathurin opened the period with a jumper, and Kawhi Leonard closed the half strong, scoring 21 points by intermission to keep the Clippers within seven. Deandre Ayton provided an inside finish off a Luka Doncic assist to stem a Clippers surge, while John Collins also hit a 3 to keep the momentum shifting. Despite the Clippers’ advantage on offensive rebounds in the half, the Lakers still led 64-57 at the break.
The third quarter was a seesaw affair. After a turnover by Leonard, Reaves hit a 3 and the Lakers used a 10-2 run to build a 15-point cushion. The Clippers countered with a 17-1 run that briefly put them ahead, led in part by Derrick Jones Jr.’s contributions. Luka and Luke Kennard answered with timely baskets to restore the Lakers’ lead, and Los Angeles entered the fourth up by four points.
The fourth quarter featured multiple lead changes and a string of fouls that interrupted flow for the Lakers early. Jarred Vanderbilt opened the period with a dunk, but an extended 11-3 Clippers run put the visitors in front late. Marcus Smart hit a pivotal 3 for the Lakers during the decisive spurt, and Luka added his seventh 3 of the night. Leonard exited with ankle soreness with 5:10 remaining. In the final two minutes the Lakers converted free throws and limited open looks, and Nicolas Batum’s last-second 3 rimmed out to end the game.
Analysis & Implications
The game underlined the Lakers’ capacity to absorb runs and close out tight contests. Reaves’ emergence as a primary scoring option tonight — 29 points with multiple late shots — gave Los Angeles a secondary creator behind Doncic and complemented LeBron’s facilitation. That balance is valuable as the Lakers prepare for higher-stakes matchups, where bench scoring and 3-point shooting often decide outcomes.
The Clippers’ strength on the offensive glass in the first half (14 offensive rebounds to 2) illustrated a recurring area of concern for opponents facing them: second-chance scoring keeps teams alive and can erase deficits quickly. Even so, the Clippers were unable to sustain the advantage, and late turnovers and missed perimeter attempts proved costly. Their ability to convert rebounds to points will remain a determinant of their consistency down the stretch.
Kawhi Leonard’s exit with ankle soreness is an immediate practical concern for Los Angeles’ rotation and postseason planning. While the report from the game lists the issue as soreness rather than a specific diagnosis, any lost minutes for a primary scorer shifts responsibilities and could force strategic adjustments. The Lakers’ defensive stands late and Doncic’s late free throws suggest the team can respond under pressure, but sustained depth and health will be decisive factors in coming weeks.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | 38 | 6 | 11 |
| Austin Reaves | 29 | 6 | 2 |
| LeBron James | 13 | – | 11 |
| Deandre Ayton | 13 | 7 | – |
| Kawhi Leonard (HT) | 21 | – | – |
The table highlights the night’s primary statistical contributors using numbers reported from the game. Doncic’s 38 points and 11 assists stand out as a two-way offensive impact, while Reaves’ scoring and LeBron’s assist total underline the Lakers’ shared offensive responsibilities. The Clippers’ second-chance edge in the first half is not reflected in top-line scoring but materially affected momentum swings; coaches will likely point to rebound conversion as a target for correction.
Reactions & Quotes
Coaches and players framed the finish around execution and health. Both locker rooms emphasized the game’s tight margins, with attention on late possessions and foul management. The Lakers noted key defensive stops and clutch free throws, while the Clippers highlighted their offensive resilience and the role of second-chance points. Below are short postgame remarks and their context.
We made the plays we needed down the stretch and got the stops when it mattered.
Lakers postgame (paraphrase)
That comment, offered on the Lakers’ postgame availability in paraphrase, summarized the team’s view that defensive stands and late free throws determined the outcome. It points to the importance of situational defense and execution after the All-Star break. Coaching staff emphasized the need to sustain that focus against stronger defensive opponents in coming matchups.
We kept fighting — the second-chance opportunities kept us alive, but we need cleaner execution late.
Clippers postgame (paraphrase)
The Clippers’ postgame summary acknowledged the benefit of offensive rebounds but also the failure to convert enough late possessions into points. That balance explains how they could mount a comeback and still fall short. The team will likely study late-possession offense and turnover management from tonight’s film.
The ankle felt sore and we’ll evaluate him further; it’s not a definitive diagnosis yet.
Clippers injury update (paraphrase)
Team medical remarks following Leonard’s exit were cautious, describing soreness and the need for further testing rather than offering a firm prognosis. That stance is common postgame and preserves options for treatment and rest. The degree of soreness and any follow-up imaging will determine availability for the next game.
Unconfirmed
- The exact severity and expected recovery timeline for Kawhi Leonard’s ankle soreness were not provided and remain unconfirmed pending official medical updates.
- Any long-term impact on rotation patterns or minute restrictions for Leonard is speculative until the Clippers release further details.
Bottom Line
The Lakers held on 125-122 in a tightly contested first game after the All-Star break, relying on big nights from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and late free-throw execution. The Clippers showed resilience, fueled by offensive rebounds and a strong first-half performance from Kawhi Leonard, but could not close out in the final seconds. Leonard’s ankle soreness introduces an immediate uncertainty for the Clippers, while the Lakers will take confidence from late defensive stands and balanced scoring.
Looking ahead, the Lakers travel to face the Boston Celtics on Sunday at 3:30 PM PT, where depth and late-game execution will again be under the microscope. The Clippers will assess Leonard’s status and review late-possession execution as they prepare for their next slate of games. Both teams have areas to correct, but this game reaffirmed how narrow margins and small possessions decide neighborhood rivalries in the regular season.
Sources
- Silver Screen and Roll (independent sports media)