Lakers fall short against the Clippers
The Lakers dropped their first-ever game against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome by a score of 116-102. The loss is the Lakers 4th in their last six games, with three of those four losses being by double digits. Here are the main takeaways and areas LA will need to look to improve in from tonight’s game.
The Clippers ALWAYS bring more effort in these meetings 😶 pic.twitter.com/VCyWNsyJsm
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 20, 2025
Effort and Hustle
It may only show up on the box score in certain areas, but it was obvious to anyone who watched that the Clippers were simply the team who wanted it more. Their hustle and activity, especially in the first half, surpassed the Lakers’ and helped them grow their early lead.
This did show up in the box score, though, on the offensive glass. The Clippers had 11 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points, eight more than the Lakers.
If the Lakers want to get back to winning consistently, they will have to be on the other side of these kinds of stats.
Lakers’ Defensive Struggles Continue
The Clippers showed off their scoring depth against the Lakers, with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Norman Powell, and Ivica Zubac all totaling 19 or more points—Zubac and Harden also both notched double-doubles.
Even with the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers still seem to be behind the curve defensively, and the 64 first-half points from the Clippers showed that. LA is now below league average in every major statistical defensive category.
Anthony Davis’ Inconsistency Continues
Anthony Davis shot just 5/14 from the field in the game, emphasizing his recent offensive struggles. After an MVP-caliber start to the season, Davis has shot under 50% in four of his last six games.
Without Davis scoring effectively, the Lakers’ offensive ceiling is severely limited, especially as the team continues to find difficulty making shots from the perimeter.
The Lakers are now 22-18 and remain in the middle of the packed West standings. The Purple and Gold will have an excellent bounce-back opportunity on Tuesday against the lowly Washington Wizards, who, at 6-34, hold the worst record in the NBA.
