California’s Inglewood (AP) On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers crushed the Los Angeles Clippers 122-97, with LeBron James leading the way with 26 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Luka Doncic watched with approval from the bench.
In their first game since the Lakers’ historic trade to acquire the All-NBA scoring champion in exchange for star big man Anthony Davis, Doncic cheered and occasionally gave a fist pump during the team’s outstanding performance. Sitting next to each other, James and Doncic, who is almost ready to return from a strained calf, occasionally spoke.Despite losing Davis to injury even prior to the trade, the Lakers ended a six-game trip with five wins, led by 20 points apiece by Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers’ triumph was their first in the gleaming new arena of their crosstown rivals, Intuit Dome.
The Clippers (28-22), who trailed the fifth-place Lakers (29-19) in the Western Conference by two games, had 20 points from Norman Powell.
Kawhi Leonard only scored 11 points before both players left the game in the fourth quarter, while James Harden finished 2 of 12 for seven points.
Lakers: The approach was good, but the outcomes were outstanding. They practiced defense and fought; they will have to do this every night without Davis.
Bronny James played the last six minutes and made his first 3-pointer in the NBA.
In their first games with the Clippers, who acquired the veterans from Utah on Saturday, Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks played the last seven minutes.
Clippers: A lackluster comeback after a four-game trip. Steve Ballmer, the owner, was not very happy.
Lakers: The approach was stunning as well as the results, which were outstanding. They engaged in combat and practiced defense, something they will have to do each night in Davis’ absence.
The Lakers scored 45 points in the opening quarter, which is the highest they have scored this season.
It wasn’t until halfway through the second quarter that the Lakers committed a turnover.
On Thursday, the Lakers will host the Warriors. On Thursday, the Clippers will host the Pacers.
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