Luka Lights Up the Clippers as Lakers Clinch NBA Cup Group B

The Lakers came into this matchup without Deandre Ayton, which meant one thing: they were going to double Ivica Zubac on the block every single touch and force him to become a playmaker.

And while that plan worked defensively, the opening minutes of the game looked like defense didn’t exist on either side. In the first 20 possessions of the night, it felt like there were maybe four stops total; both teams came out on absolute fire.

Luka’s First-Quarter Inferno

Luka Dončić wasted no time turning the arena into a heat check clinic. He started 5-of-6 with 14 points in the first 7 minutes, forcing the Clippers to call a timeout. The timeout? Absolutely useless, Luka drilled two more deep ones instantly.

He closed the first quarter with a casual 24 points, but somehow the Lakers still trailed 38–37, because the Clippers were matching every bucket with one of their own. This quickly turned into a shootout: Luka vs. the entire Clippers roster.

Clippers Role Players Go Nuclear

To stay in a game where Luka was burying everything, the Clippers needed help. And they got it from some unlikely places.

John Collins, Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn opened for a combined 7-for-7 from deep. Collins and Batum hitting is one thing… but Dunn? A guy who rarely even looks at the rim from three? Yeah, apparently tonight he was Klay Thompson.

By halftime, Dunn had already doubled his season scoring average. The Clippers’ shooting kept them alive even as their stars weren’t dominating.

Luka put up 32 first-half points, and the Lakers still only led 69–66.

Third Quarter: Punch, Counter-Punch

The Clippers opened the third the same way they ended the second, on fire. But the Lakers slowly rebuilt a double-digit lead behind timely stops and a balanced attack.

Then, instantly, the Clippers answered with an 11–0 run to erase it.

Just another chapter of this game’s theme: offense, offense, and more offense.

Still, the Lakers’ composure showed. They closed the third quarter strong and took a 98–93 lead into the fourth.

LeBron Ramps Up, Reaves Takes Over

LeBron James continues to look more like himself every night. He began the fourth with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, a clear sign that his rhythm and legs are returning after the season delay.

In the fourth quarter, it was Austin Reaves who grabbed the wheel. A mini takeover stretched the Lakers’ lead to 15, thanks not only to his scoring, but also a couple of defensive stops forcing multiple turnovers on Kawhi Leonard.

Meanwhile, the Lakers dominated the offensive glass as a team, and second chances became a huge part of their late-game push.

Chaos, Techs, and a Lob City Dagger

The Clippers tried to climb back, but frustration boiled over. Kris Dunn shoved Luka after a whistle, and Jaxson Hayes stepped in instantly, getting in Dunn’s face and protecting his MVP teammate.

THE BATTLE OF LA IS GETTING CHIPPY 🍿 pic.twitter.com/g4vcLMyOWe

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 26, 2025

Dunn responded by swiping at Hayes, earning his second consecutive technical and an early walk to the locker room.

Luka later rewarded Hayes for having his back, tossing him a perfect alley-oop for the dagger. After the game, Luka said he’d pay Hayes’ fine for sticking up for him. That’s chemistry you love to see.

The Big Three Put On A Clinic

The Lakers’ big 3 put together their best collective performance of the season:

Combined: 99 points, 24 rebounds, 22 assists

LUKA AND THE LAKERS CLINCH WEST GROUP B AFTER WHOOPING THE CLIPPERS 😈 pic.twitter.com/wPCTUMOxdq

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 26, 2025

Hard to lose when your top three deliver that kind of production. Even harder to believe some people thought Lebron wouldn’t fit and make this team worse.

Clippers’ Standouts

In fairness, L.A.’s other team had impressive outings:

• Kris Dunn- 19 points, 8/13 from the field, 50% from 3
• John Collins- 18 points, 6/8 shooting, 66.7% from deep
• James Harden- 29 points, nine assists, the only one who’s been saving the Clippers’ season, and hopefully saving the league from an OKC monopoly over the NBA

They kept the Clippers afloat much longer than expected.

Lakers Clinch Group B

With the 135–118 victory, the Lakers move to 13–4 and an undefeated 3–0 in NBA Cup play, officially clinching Group B and punching their ticket to the elimination rounds.

This team keeps improving. The offense is elite, the chemistry is building fast, and the stars are humming. But one issue remains:

The defense has to get better.

If the Lakers want to be true contenders in April and May, the defensive slippage, especially in the first half of games, needs to be tightened up.

Still, a dominant win, another Luka masterpiece, and the Big Three clicking at a superstar level? Hard to ask for much more.