The Los Angeles Lakers sent a powerful message to the rest of the NBA last night, pulling away from the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter to secure a commanding 135-118 victory at Crypto.com Arena. The crosstown rivalry, always a highlight on the NBA calendar, was supercharged this time by the Lakers’ new superstar trio—and it was Luka Doncic who stole the show with a near triple-double performance.
Doncic’s Monster Night Powers Lakers
Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ blockbuster offseason acquisition, delivered a performance for the ages. He poured in
43 points, dished out
13 assists, and grabbed
9 rebounds, coming just shy of a triple-double. Doncic’s relentless attack and playmaking were simply too much for the Clippers’ defense, especially in the decisive final period.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the other two pillars of the Lakers’ “Big 3,” combined with Doncic for a staggering
99 points. Their chemistry was on full display, with LeBron orchestrating the offense and Reaves providing timely shooting and hustle plays.
Lakers Pull Away Late
The game was a back-and-forth affair through three quarters, with both teams trading leads and momentum. But as the fourth quarter began, the Lakers shifted into another gear. Doncic took over, scoring at will and setting up teammates for easy buckets. The Clippers, despite strong efforts from their own stars, simply couldn’t keep pace as the Lakers’ offense exploded down the stretch.
What This Means for the Lakers
This win marks the Lakers’
third victory in NBA Cup group play, solidifying their status as serious contenders in the Western Conference. With Doncic, LeBron, and Reaves all healthy and clicking, the Lakers look poised to make a deep playoff run. NBA analysts are already debating whether this “Big 3” could be the most dangerous in the league.
The victory also comes at a pivotal time for the franchise, as new head coach JJ Redick continues to implement his system and build team chemistry. The Lakers’ ability to close out games against tough opponents like the Clippers is a promising sign for fans hoping for another championship banner.
Clippers Face Tough Questions
For the Clippers, the loss raises questions about their ability to defend elite perimeter talent and close out games against top-tier competition. While they showed flashes of brilliance, especially early on, their defense faltered when it mattered most. The team will need to regroup quickly as the NBA Cup and regular season grind continue.
Takeaways and What’s Next
-
Luka Doncic’s arrival has transformed the Lakers into a true powerhouse.-
LeBron James and Austin Reaves are thriving alongside Doncic, giving LA a lethal offensive trio.-
The Clippers must address defensive lapses if they hope to keep pace in the West.-
The Lakers’ win cements their status as NBA Cup favorites and Western Conference contenders.With the NBA season heating up and the Lakers firing on all cylinders, Los Angeles basketball fans are in for a wild ride. The next chapter in this storied rivalry can’t come soon enough.
Sources
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers Full Game Highlights
2. NBC Sports - news, scores, stats, rumors, videos, and more
3. CLIPPERS at LAKERS | EMIRATES NBA CUP | November 25, 2025
4. 2025 NBA Free Agency Live Tracker: Updates, news, rumors, top ...
5. Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers Full Game Highlights
6. Lakers' new head coach - Los Angeles - LAist
7. Dončić Drops MONSTER DOUBLE-DOUBLE In The Battle For LA
8. Peacock: Stream TV and Movies Online, Watch Live News and Sports
9. [PDF] Detecting crisis events from unstructured text data using signal ...
