Luka Dončić of the Lakers recorded 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists. Austin Reaves added 31 points and 9 rebounds, LeBron James contributed 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 13 points. For the Clippers, James Harden recorded 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists; Kawhi Leonard added 19 points and 5 rebounds; DeAndre Jordan scored 19 points; John Collins contributed 18 points and 5 rebounds; and Ivica Zubac finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Both the Lakers and Clippers entered the derby with identical 2-0 records in the Cup tournament group stage. Both teams traded baskets early, with the score tied multiple times. After a 9-9 deadlock, Dunn scored on a solo drive, but Dončić answered with a three-pointer. Collins and Leonard each hit threes, giving the Clippers a 17-15 lead with 6:55 left in the first quarter. Dončić then ignited the Lakers' offense, sinking two consecutive threes and scoring eight straight points to put LA ahead. Harden intensified his individual offense with six straight points, but Dončić remained hot, sinking two more threes to give the Lakers a 29-23 lead. Collins answered with a three, and both teams traded baskets thereafter. Harden hit a three to cap a 5-0 run ending the quarter, giving the Clippers a 38-37 lead. Harden finished the quarter with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Doncic went 5-for-8 from three in the period, scoring 24 points with 3 assists.
The back-and-forth continued in the second quarter. Reaves suddenly ignited, scoring 7 straight points to lead a 9-2 run that put the Lakers back ahead 50-47. After a Clippers timeout, Leonard hit a mid-range jumper to stem the bleeding. Dončić immediately answered with a three-point play, forcing Leonard into his third foul and sending him to the bench. Dunn drove for a layup, sparking another back-and-forth exchange. LeBron scored five straight points, while Collins and Dunn each hit threes, tying the game at 62. After the 64-64 tie, Dončić hit another three-pointer and LaVine drove for a layup, giving the Lakers a 69-66 halftime lead.
For the Lakers, Dončić had 32 points and 6 assists in the first half, Reaves added 9 points and 8 rebounds, while Hachimura and LeBron each scored 9 points. For the Clippers, Harden had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists; Dunn scored 12 points; Collins added 11 points; and Leonard contributed 9 points.
Shortly after the third quarter began, Dončić hit another three-pointer and LeBron scored on a isolation play, giving the Lakers a 78-70 lead. After a Clippers timeout, Harden drove for a layup, but the Lakers responded with four straight points to stretch their lead to 10. Harden remained aggressive, scoring five points himself to spark an 11-0 run that gave the Clippers an 83-82 lead with 5:30 left in the third. Reaves stopped the bleeding with a running jumper, Collins and Harden each sank two free throws, Doncic hit two more baskets, and Smart converted a layup, giving the Lakers a 92-89 lead. Sanders and Harden combined for four points, Smart hit a corner three, and LeBron completed a three-point play, leaving the Lakers ahead 98-93 at the end of the third quarter.
Reaves opened the fourth quarter by sinking three free throws, LeBron hit a three-pointer, and they led an 8-2 run that extended the Lakers' lead to 11 points. Paul drove for a layup, but Reaves and LeBron combined for six points, extending the Lakers' lead to 112-97. Dunn hit a three to temporarily stem the bleeding. Reaves drove for a shot but was blocked by Zubac, though slow-motion replays showed the ball had already touched the backboard before the block. Reaves maintained his aggressiveness, scoring five straight points to keep the Lakers firmly in control. Harden returned to the court, sparking a Clippers offensive surge as they scored five straight points to narrow the gap. However, Reaves and Hayes responded with baskets of their own, keeping the deficit at 14 points.
Kawhi Leonard stepped up, drawing fouls on Dončić and sinking all four free throws to bring the Clippers within 111-121. Dončić and Zubac each added two points. During a rebound scramble, Dunn shoved Dončić and then flicked the ball at him. Hayes stepped in to defend his teammate, shoving Dunn in return. Dunn turned and attempted to retaliate, but referees and other players quickly separated them. After reviewing the play, officials called a technical foul on Hayes, while Dunn received his second technical and was ejected. Dončić made his free throw, extending the Lakers' lead to 124-113. Harden scored on a solo drive, Dončić made one of two free throws, Reaves converted a fast break, and Hayes finished an alley-oop dunk, restoring the Lakers' 14-point advantage. After a timeout, the Clippers pulled their starters, and the Lakers also sent in their reserves. The Lakers secured the victory 135-118.
Clippers starting lineup: Harden, Dunn, Leonard, Collins, Zubac
Lakers starting lineup: Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Hachimura, Hayes
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