Lakers Dominate Clippers to Extend Winning Streak and Improve to 13-4

Setting the Tone Early

From tip-off, the Lakers played with rhythm and aggression.

Luka Dončić wasted no time — scoring 20 points in the first eight minutes, making his first five 3-point attempts. That alone set the tone for what would follow.
Throughout the game, L.A. looked sharp: quick ball movement, aggressive shot-creation, and a fast-paced offense that consistently outmatched the Clippers.

That early burst forced the Clippers to play catch-up all night.

ESPN Images

The Lakers’ win wasn’t just a team effort as a few players stood out in a big way:

Luka Dončić dropped a monster stat line: 43 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds — just shy of a triple-double. He repeatedly knocked down threes and orchestrated the offense masterfully.
Austin Reaves delivered 31 points and 9 rebounds — including a critical scoring surge in the fourth quarter that helped seal the game.
LeBron James, still going strong in his 23rd NBA season, contributed 25 points along with six assists — giving the Lakers veteran stability when it mattered most.

That trio’s chemistry and balance (playmaking, shooting, leadership) made it nearly impossible for the Clippers to mount a comeback.

Despite flashes from some of their players, the Clippers couldn’t keep up.

The offensive flow they hoped for was disrupted by L.A.’s pressure defense and unrelenting pace. Turnovers and defensive breakdowns hurt them, especially late in the game.
James Harden scored 29 points and dished 9 assists—a solid individual outing. Kawhi Leonard added 19 points in only his second game back from injury.
Still, it wasn’t enough. Late in the third quarter and throughout the fourth, L.A.’s push — punctuated by a 16-4 run and tight defense—erased whatever momentum the Clippers. had.
Tensions boiled over too: with about 3:30 to go, a physical encounter led to the ejection of Clippers guard Kris Dunn after a clash with Dončić, with intervention from Lakers center Jaxson Hayes.

Ultimately, the Clippers lacked consistency, cohesion, and composure when it counted.

This win does more than add a tally to the W-column.

Clinching the top spot in their NBA Cup group gives the Lakers momentum heading into knockout play — a huge boost even with the issues that the NBA Cup has posed for teams in past years.
The balanced attack (veteran leadership + rising talent + sharpshooting depth) proves the Lakers can succeed even when different players carry the load — good sign for long-term consistency.
Dominating a cross-town rival like the Clippers reinforces their status as a serious contender in both the regular season and the Cup context. Considering their 13-4 start, they’re in strong form.

Getty Images

When Dončić is on and the ball is moving, the Lakers become nearly unstoppable.
Depth matters — Reaves and James gave just as much value as the stars.
The Clippers still have offensive potential, but defensive lapses and lack of consistency are major issues.
Winning big games (especially rivalry games) builds momentum and confidence early in the season.