LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 38 points and 11 assists, Austin Reaves added 29 points and Los Angeles Lakers retained the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch for a 125-122 victory Friday night.
LeBron James had 13 points and 11 assists for the Lakers in their return from the All-Star break. They blew a 15-point lead in the second half, but Doncic scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers split the four-game series with their crosstown rivals.
Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points before missing the final 5:10 with an apparent ankle injury for the Clippers (27-29), who incredibly failed to get back to .500 after their 6-21 start to the season.
Bénédict Mathurin had 26 points and seven rebounds in his second straight outstanding game for his new team before fouling out with 1:49 left. Athletic guard acquired from Indiana for center Ivica Zubac lost a career-high 38 against Denver on Thursday.
Derrick Jones Jr. scored on consecutive possessions to cut the Lakers’ lead to 123-120 with 46 seconds left. Nicolas Batum then stole James’ pass in the final seconds, but the Frenchman missed a tying 3-point attempt with 4 seconds left.
Doncic, James and Reaves were able to play together for just the 11th time in the Lakers’ 55 games this season, thanks to a rare moment of full health for the Lakers coming out of the break. They responded with a prolific offensive performance, although James only managed two points in the second half.
In Doncic’s return from a four-game absence followed by a five-minute All-Star Game appearance due to a mild hamstring strain, the Slovenian superstar scored 17 points with four 3-pointers in a dynamic first quarter for the Lakers, who made 16 of 17 shots in one stretch.
Leonard, who had just one bucket in the first, responded with a 19-point second.
The Clippers John Collins was helped off the field with 18 seconds left in the first half after bloodying his face on a hard landing while trying to catch a long pass at the rim.
To be continued
Clippers: Host Orlando on Sunday.
Lakers: Host Boston on Sunday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Greg Beacham, Associated Press
