The Los Angeles Lakers (13-4) continued their hot start to the season with a commanding 135-118 victory over the Clippers, marking their fifth consecutive win and their second straight home game scoring over 130 points. The team is now 3-0 since LeBron James rejoined the lineup after missing the first 14 games due to injury. With the victory, the Lakers also secured their passage to the next phase of the NBA Cup with a perfect record so far. Their season success, however, rests squarely on the health of Luka Doncic.
The 26-year-old All-Star dominated the game from start to finish, pouring in 43 points (32 in the first half), dishing out 13 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds. He became the first player in NBA history to record 400 points and 100 assists in the first 12 games of a season. Austin Reaves contributed 31 points, and LeBron James added 25, his highest total in the three games he has played, looking every bit like the best third option in NBA history. At 40 years old, James has finally ceded the team’s initiative to someone else.
Luka Doncic Offer Reveals Team Chemistry in Los Angeles
The first crosstown clash of the season grew tense with just over three minutes left in the game. Clippers guard Kris Dunn was ejected for fouling Doncic with a shove to the back. When the Slovenian confronted Dunn, who then pushed the ball into Doncic’s chest, the first teammate to arrive was center Jaxson Hayes, who immediately shoved Dunn to de-escalate the situation.
Due to that minor push, it is highly likely the NBA will issue a fine to Hayes. However, Doncic preempted any potential financial burden. Speaking after the game, he emphasized the team’s camaraderie, stating, “I’ll pay his fine for sure. Everyone on this team has each other’s back.”
This comment inadvertently exposed the massive salary difference within the team: Hayes’ salary this year is approximately $3.4 million, while Donicic’s is a massive $49.9 million. Paying a potential fine will be no major issue for Luka, but his gesture publicly demonstrated the strong locker room bond fueling their championship aspirations.
Lakers Prepare for NBA Cup Showdown Against Familiar Face
The Lakers close out their NBA Cup group stage participation this Friday at home against the Mavericks, Luka’s former team (just in case you hadn’t heard!). The two teams are experiencing vastly different realities: the Lakers are second in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are near the bottom.
The only bright spot for Dallas is the possible return of Anthony Davis, who has been absent for a long time this year due to injury. Davis himself mentioned he wants to play in that game, as it would be his first against his former team since the trade. If he plays, we might see a small tribute from the Lakers to a player who helped them win their last championship in 2020.
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