Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James combined to score 99 points and the LA Lakers clinched their group in the NBA Cup.
Published on November 26, 2025
Luka Doncic scored 24 of his 43 points in the first quarter and finished with 13 assists and nine rebounds as the host Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 135-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday to clinch Group B West of the NBA Cup.
Austin Reaves scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed nine rebounds for the Lakers, who won their fifth straight game. LeBron James added 25 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Rui Hachimura scored 13 points.
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The Lakers improved to 3-0 in the NBA Cup, while the Clippers fell to 2-1. The Clippers are still in the race for a wild card spot.
James Harden had 29 points and nine assists, and Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn each scored 19 points for the Clippers, who have lost 11 of their last 13 games. John Collins scored 18 points and Ivica Zubac added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers shot a torrid 57.5 percent from the field, including 13 of 29 (44.8 percent) from 3-point range. Doncic hit a season-high seven 3-pointers and recorded his fifth 40-point effort of the season.
The Clippers made 51.9 percent of their field goal attempts and were 13 of 35 (37.1 percent) from behind the arc.
Dunn was ejected with 3:33 left after shoving the basketball into Doncic’s chest and hitting the Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes in the face with an open hand after Hayes shoved Dunn from behind. Hayes received a technical foul.
Reaves scored seven points during a 14-4 run early in the fourth quarter as the Lakers turned a five-point lead into a 112-97 lead.
Shortly after, he scored five straight Lakers points to increase the lead to 117-102 with 6:51 remaining.
The Clippers got within 124-115 on Harden’s basket with 2:55 left before the Lakers scored the next nine points to secure the victory.
Doncic hit five 3-pointers during his 24-point first quarter, but the Lakers trailed 38-37 entering the second.
Doncic scored 32 points at halftime as the Lakers led 69-66. Harden scored 16 points in the first half for the Clippers.
James’ basket gave the Lakers an 82-72 lead with 8:30 left in the third quarter. However, the Clippers scored the next 11 points, taking an 83-82 lead on Leonard’s basket with 5:31 remaining.
The Lakers regained the lead and James converted a three-point play to give them a 98-93 lead entering the final quarter.
