Clippers vs Lakers 102-108: LeBron and Luka extend LA Lakers' win streak

The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to six games with a 108-102 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Despite missing Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jordan Goodwin, the Lakers maintained control for most of the contest before holding off a late Clippers surge.

Dorian Finney-Smith opened the game with a three-pointer, and Luka Dončić followed with two triples of his own while assisting LeBron James on a dunk and a layup to give the Lakers an early 15-4 advantage.

The Clippers responded with a 7-0 run, but rookie Dalton Knecht provided a spark off the bench, scoring off a tip dunk and draining three consecutive three-pointers. The Lakers led 34-28 after the first quarter despite committing nine turnovers.

The Lakers opened the second quarter with another Knecht three-pointer, but the Clippers responded with a strong stretch from beyond the arc, including a four-point play by Kawhi Leonard to tie the game. A 12-0 Lakers run to close the half, fueled by defensive stops and transition baskets, gave them a 56-43 lead. The Clippers went scoreless for the final 7:35 of the quarter.

Leonard ended the Clippers’ drought with a putback to start the third quarter, but the Lakers quickly regained control. Dončić set up James for transition baskets before scoring on a layup, a stepback three-pointer, and assisting Gabe Vincent on another triple to push the lead to 21 points. However, the Clippers responded with an 11-2 run, cutting the Lakers' advantage to 89-77 heading into the fourth.

Leonard led the Clippers’ charge in the final period, bringing them within five points and forcing the Lakers to take a timeout. James steadied the team with a corner three-pointer after a series of offensive rebounds, followed by another triple from Knecht. Dončić added free throws to restore a double-digit lead.

The Clippers continued to push in the closing moments, reducing the deficit to five in the final minute, but the Lakers held firm to close out the victory.

The Lakers continue their homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday before facing the New York Knicks on Thursday. They will then embark on an East Coast road trip.