Lakers exploit Clippers' 26 turnovers to win 103-87 without Luka Doncic
Los Angeles' balanced scoring and 48-41 rebounding edge overwhelmed an injury-ravaged Clippers squad that committed 24 errors in the defeat.
By Ana Castro ·
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 103-87 at Intuit Dome on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to four games while playing without star guard Luka Doncic. The absence of the league's scoring leader allowed the Lakers to distribute the ball effectively, resulting in five players scoring in double figures.
Quentin Grimes led the Lakers with 23 points, five assists, and four steals. Collin Sexton contributed 21 points, shooting 4-for-7 from three-point range. Matisse Thybulle added 15 points on 4-for-5 shooting, while Sandro Mamukelashvili provided 13 points and eight rebounds. Walker Kessler finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Lakers coach JJ Redick cited the team's rebounding as the primary factor in the victory. The Lakers outrebounded the Clippers 48-41, securing 17 offensive boards. Redick noted that forwards Jake LaRavia and Mamukelashvili collected five and four offensive rebounds respectively, creating extra scoring opportunities. The team also forced 24 turnovers from the Clippers.
The Clippers, now 1-3, struggled with ball security. They committed 26 turnovers across two consecutive games, a figure Redick described as excessive given their current roster depth. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue admitted the team needs to improve its intent when sharing the ball. Lue stated that having 26 turnovers in back-to-back games is too many, especially with limited room for error.
The Clippers' defensive focus shifted to containing Austin Reaves, who replaced Doncic. Reaves finished with 16 points and eight assists on 6-for-16 shooting. Lue acknowledged that Reaves can beat teams individually, referencing a previous performance where the guard scored 50 points. The Clippers' offense, however, stalled. They shot 35% from the field and 32% from three-point range.
Keaton Wagler led the Clippers with 21 points, making 10 of 12 free throws to offset a 4-for-15 performance from the field. Derrick Jones Jr. recorded 15 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Darius Garland contributed 14 points on 4-for-12 shooting but committed five turnovers. The Clippers were missing six key rotation players, including starting forward Ziaire Williams for the Lakers, who also sat out due to foot soreness.
The game remained competitive only through the first quarter. The Lakers took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers 31-16. This run included a 16-0 stretch that established a 56-38 halftime lead. The Clippers briefly rallied in the third quarter to cut the deficit to seven points but could not sustain the momentum. The Lakers closed the third on a 27-15 run, taking an 85-66 lead into the final period.
By mid-fourth quarter, the Lakers extended their advantage to 23 points. The final score reflected the disparity in efficiency, with the Lakers shooting 44% from the field compared to the Clippers' 35%. The victory improved the Lakers' record to 4-1, while the Clippers fell to 1-3.
