Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James combine for 99 points as Los Angeles Lakers secure West Group B in NBA Cup play.

Luka Doncic delivered a sensational performance, scoring 43 points—including 24 in the first quarter—while adding 13 assists and nine rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 135-118 victory over the LA Clippers on Tuesday. The win secured the Lakers’ top spot in West Group B of the NBA Cup.

Lakers’ Balanced Attack Leads to Victory

Austin Reaves played a key role, scoring 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and contributing nine rebounds, helping the Lakers stretch their lead in the final period. LeBron James added 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Rui Hachimura chipped in 13 points, ensuring a well-rounded team effort.

The Lakers have now won five consecutive games and improved to 3-0 in NBA Cup play, while the Clippers fell to 2-1, though they remain in contention for a wild-card spot.

Clippers’ Efforts Fall Short

The Clippers were led by James Harden, who recorded 29 points and nine assists. Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn each added 19 points, while John Collins contributed 18 points and Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Despite shooting 51.9% from the field and 37.1% from three, the Clippers could not match the Lakers’ torrid 57.5% shooting, including 44.8% from long range.

The game saw a tense moment in the fourth quarter when Kris Dunn was ejected after shoving the basketball into Doncic’s chest and striking Jaxson Hayes. Hayes received a technical foul on the play.

Key Moments of the Game

• Doncic scored seven 3-pointers in a season-best performance, marking his fifth 40-point game of the campaign.
• Reaves’ 14-4 run early in the fourth quarter turned a five-point lead into a 112-97 advantage, effectively putting the Lakers in control.
• The Clippers briefly cut the deficit to 124-115 late in the game before the Lakers scored the final nine points to seal the win.
• Doncic had 32 points at halftime, while Harden scored 16 in the first half for the Clippers.

The Lakers demonstrated strong teamwork and shooting efficiency, combining a balanced offensive attack with timely defensive stops to maintain control throughout the contest.