It was a black night for the Lakers in every sense. First, because of the heavy defeat to the Clippers (103-88), who came into the game in a state of depression after five straight losses and 10 in their last 11 games. And then because Luka Doncic had to leave the court in the first half due to a contusion on his left leg. Alarms were ringing. The Slovenian guard’s health is a matter of state for the Los Angeles franchise.
When he retired, Doncic had 12 points with 4/13 shooting from the field, including 1/6 in three-pointers, five rebounds, two assists and four turnovers. He had not felt comfortable in the 19 minutes he played and had missed his first six shots. He had just scored 45 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists against the Jazz and was still the NBA’s leading scorer with an average of 35.2 points. At halftime, his team was trailing 54-39 and he would not return.
The Lakers, who were already without starters Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura, were already in trouble. “You just have to manage the game and play with the right spirit,” coach JJ Redick said when asked how they were going to cope with so many important injuries. Then Doncic would fall as well.
Not even the best LeBron is enough
Not even LeBron James’ best performance of the season could prevent the Lakers’ shipwreck. Ten days before his 41st birthday, the forward scored 36 points that proved fruitless as the team was disastrous in shooting. They missed 32 three-pointers and shot 16% from the arc (6/38). And they didn’t even hit their free throws (14/23).
The Clippers, meanwhile, made 16/43 three-pointers and missed only one free throw (19/20). In addition, Kawhi Leonard also broke his scoring record for the season with 32 points. James Harden had a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists, while John Collins did so with rebounds (17+12).
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