Injuries Play Key Role in Lakers’ 103-88 Loss to the Clippers
Lakers vs. Clippers: First Half Thoughts
The first 24 minutes of the game have been a consistent problem for the Los Angeles Lakers in recent outings. Through a quarter and a half of game time, they had just 25 points to show compared to the Clippers’ 39.
While already playing under a double-digit deficit, the absence of Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves showed exactly how desperate the team needs them back. Particularly with the required help on the offensive side of the ball.
The Lakers shot just 2-for-17 from three-point land in the first half and 10-for-36 from the field.
Outside of Luka Doncic (12 points) and LeBron James (16 points), 28 of the Lakers’ 39 total points in the first half, there wasn’t much to be impressed about.
Late in the first quarter, the Clippers saw center Ivica Zubac go down with a twisted ankle. The assignment that Jaxson Hayes was given for the night wouldn’t return to the game, but even without one of their best players, the Clippers never took their foot off the gas and went into the break with a 16-point lead.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard (15 points) and James Harden (10 points, five assists) stepped up in the first half after Ivica Zubac’s early exit in the game.
Second half
Luka Doncic didn’t come back for the start of the second half after suffering a left leg contusion.
The Lakers announced that he would not return. Dalton Knecht replaced Doncic in the starting lineup for the second half.
With Luka Doncic not returning, LeBron James put together his best game so far this season, scoring a season-high 36 points and adding four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jake LaRavia was the next highest scorer for the Lakers with 12 points.
The Lakers put together a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter, cutting the Clippers’ lead down to seven points. However, this stretch wasn’t enough for the Lakers to continue their dominance. The Clippers would eventually come out with the win with a final score of 103-88.
Kawhi Leonard went for 32 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
James Harden was the other scoring leader with 21 points and 10 assists.
The absence of a majority of the Lakers’ top players was a key factor in the loss on Saturday.
The Lakers will conclude their four-game road trip on Tuesday, playing the Phoenix Suns for the third time in December. This will be followed up by a game against the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
