LA PUEBLA — — With an 11-game losing run against the Los Angeles Clippers ended Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated them 130-125. LeBron James finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reaves scored seven of his 15 points in overtime.
For the first time since July 2020 in the Florida bubble, the shorthanded Lakers defeated their local rivals behind the scoring of D’Angelo Russell (27 points) and Anthony Davis (27 points and 10 rebounds). Since Christmas 2016, the Lakers, who are the 17-time NBA champions, have not defeated the Clippers in their shared venue, losing 11 straight games.
Regarding the skids, Reaves said, “That was known.” “Yet, you want to win every game, in my opinion, and I believe this to be true for everyone.” Los Angeles
In the Clippers’ second defeat of the early season, Kawhi Leonard scored 38 points as James Harden, dressed in street clothes, watched from the bench. Before fouling out 30 seconds into overtime, Paul George scored 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, including 8 in the last minute.
Coach Tyronn Lue of the Clippers remarked, “We played hard.” We just didn’t play well sometimes. Poor shot selection and a little reduction in turnovers were both necessary. I cannot criticize the effort.
Due to five severe injury absences, the Lakers only employed eight players, yet they recovered from an early 19-point hole before losing an eight-point lead in the last ninety seconds of regulation.
With 2:12 remaining in overtime, Reaves stole the ball from Leonard, drove the court, and threw an alley-oop pass to James for a one-handed dunk, giving the Lakers a five-point lead.With 48 seconds remaining, Reaves made two free throws, Russell Westbrook missed the game-winning 3-pointer, and Christian Wood scored a devastating putback slam for the Lakers with nine seconds remaining.
Leonard responded with a three-point play and his fifth 3-pointer.Westbrook outscored his old club by 24 points.James’ most recent outstanding performance of his 21st NBA season saw the 38-year-old grab 12 rebounds and seven assists. After falling short in overtime against Sacramento on Sunday, his Lakers have now won two in a row.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “We’ve just been figuring each other out as a group this year.””
After Harden and P.J. Tucker were formally acquired by the Clippers earlier in the day in a multi-player deal with Philadelphia, Tucker played 21 minutes without scoring in his Clippers debut. In the four days leading up to the Clippers’ next game, Harden will gradually get back into playing form, but the franchise already has faith in the Los Angeles native and 2018 MVP to work well with its three current superstars who are from Southern California.
“A significant amount of sacrifice, in terms of shots or minutes, will be required,” Lue said. They are prepared to carry it out.
The absence of Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and youngster Jalen Hood-Schifino due to injuries left the Lakers’ bench severely depleted before starting forward Taurean Prince experienced knee pain during warmups. Hachimura missed Monday’s game due to an eye issue, so he entered the NBA’s concussion protocol.
In the first quarter, Leonard scored a career-high 18 points, making seven of his eight attempts, including four 3-pointers. For the next two quarters, the Lakers gradually pulled ahead before taking it back late in the third.Los Angeles
Leonard said, “They were in the gaps, they made sure they reached me, and they dialed in.” “They won’t just stand by and watch someone shoot the ball.”Los Angeles
Early in the fourth quarter, George was flagged for his fifth foul, but he somehow put on an incredible stretch run.Los Angeles
