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The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 125-122 in a thrilling game Friday night. It was a close match that went down to the final seconds, keeping the fans in suspense.
Luka Doncic was the star for the Lakers, scoring 38 points and providing 11 assists. Austin Reaves also had a strong performance with 29 points. LeBron James added 13 points and 11 assists as the Lakers returned from the All-Star break. The team had a 15-point lead in the second half, but the Clippers fought back hard. Doncic stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 crucial points to help the Lakers hold on and secure the victory. The victory split the four-game series between the two Los Angeles rivals. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points but had to leave the game with just over five minutes remaining due to an ankle injury. The Clippers, now 27-29, came close to reaching a .500 record after struggling early in the season. Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds before committing a foul late in the game. Mathurin also scored 38 points the day before against Denver, showing impressive form for his new team.
Lakers vs. Clippers Team Highlights | February 20, 2025 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/sQk70xhacj
– Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) February 21, 2026
In the final moments, Derrick Jones Jr. scored two quick baskets to cut the Lakers’ lead to three points. Nicolas Batum stole the ball from LeBron James and had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but he missed with four seconds left. This game marked just the 11th time this season that Doncic, James and Reaves played together due to injuries. Even though James only scored two points in the second half, the Lakers’ offense remained strong and consistent.
Next, the Clippers will host Orlando, while the Lakers will host Boston. The game demonstrated the Lakers’ ability to perform under pressure and highlighted the importance of key players stepping up when it matters most.
Luka Doncic was the star for the Lakers, scoring 38 points and providing 11 assists. Austin Reaves also had a strong performance with 29 points. LeBron James added 13 points and 11 assists as the Lakers returned from the All-Star break. The team had a 15-point lead in the second half, but the Clippers fought back hard. Doncic stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 important points to help the Lakers hold on and secure the victory. The victory split the four-game series between the two Los Angeles rivals. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points but had to leave the game with just over five minutes remaining due to an ankle injury. The Clippers, now 27-29, came close to reaching a .500 record after struggling early in the season. Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds before committing a foul late in the game. Mathurin also scored 38 points the day before against Denver, showing impressive form for his new team.
Watch Lakers vs Clippers live NBA 2026
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In the final moments, Derrick Jones Jr. scored two quick baskets to cut the Lakers’ lead to three points. Nicolas Batum stole the ball from LeBron James and had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but he missed with four seconds left. This game marked just the 11th time this season that Doncic, James and Reaves played together due to injuries. Even though James only scored two points in the second half, the Lakers’ offense remained strong and consistent. Next, the Clippers will host Orlando, while the Lakers will host Boston. The game showed the Lakers’ ability to perform under pressure and highlighted the importance of key players stepping up when it matters most.
