Luka Doncic sits out as Lakers beat Clippers in Battle of Los Angeles
The Lakers won 103-87 without their scoring champion, who rested with back tightness.
Luka Doncic missed the Lakers' game against the Clippers on Wednesday due to back tightness. Los Angeles won 103-87.
Key takeaways
- Luka Doncic sat out with back tightness on the second night of a back-to-back
- The Lakers beat the Clippers 103-87 at the LA Clippers' venue
- Austin Reaves scored 16 points and Matisse Thybulle added 15 for the Lakers
- Quentin Grimes scored 23 points and Collin Sexton added a season-high 21 off the bench
- Rookie Keaton Wagler scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Clippers
The Los Angeles Lakers travelled down the I-110 freeway to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in the Battle of Los Angeles, with reigning NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic ruled out. Sportstar reported that the Lakers were holding out Doncic, who is recovering from back tightness, on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers won the game 103-87.
Why it matters
0 points per game, according to Sportstar. He scored 41 points in 37 minutes on Tuesday in the Lakers' 136-129 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, adding nine assists, five rebounds and a blocked shot as the Lakers suffered their first loss of the season.
The Lakers had six players in double figures without him. Austin Reaves had 16 points and Matisse Thybulle had 15. Quentin Grimes scored 23 points, Collin Sexton added a season-high 21 points off the bench, and Sexton and Thybulle had four 3-pointers each.
The Clippers dropped their third straight game, having lost to the Lakers by eight points on Friday. They were without starting forward Rui Hachimura, who had left quad tightness. The Clippers again failed to hold onto the ball with 24 turnovers.
They had 26 in each of their last two games, both losses to the Thunder and Lakers.
What happens next
The Lakers continue their NBA season after winning their fourth game in five outings. The Clippers look to end their three-game losing streak in their next fixture. The NBA results data confirms Portland Trail Blazers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 136-129 on Tuesday night before Wednesday's game.
Background
Luka Doncic is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. Wikipedia notes he is a two-time NBA scoring champion and six-time All-Star.
He joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks in early 2025 and has played in 96 of the Lakers' 121 regular-season games since the deal, Mint reported.
Doncic has won two of the past three NBA scoring titles, but he has not played in more than 70 games in a season since his rookie campaign in 2018-19 with Dallas.
He was limited to 64 games last season and didn't return after injuring his hamstring in early April, missing all of the Lakers' two-round playoff run. Lakers starting forward Ziaire Williams also sat out with left foot soreness.
Both Doncic and Williams were caught sitting on the courtside, watching the game. Coach JJ Redick said both moves were precautionary.
Battle of Los Angeles result and key figures
Team | Score | Record |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Lakers | 103 | 4-1 |
LA Clippers | 87 | 1-3 |
Related on Apex Sports News
Luka Doncic scores 41 as Lakers lose 136-129 to Trail Blazers
Jalen Williams stretchered off after leg injury as Thunder beat Clippers
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