JJ Redick has known as these moments “blackouts,” however Sunday towards the Clippers, Luka Doncic was very a lot alive.
Initially, he bounded up the left aspect of the ground, pressured Ivica Zubac into the swap and stepped towards the Clippers’ bench earlier than swishing a three-pointer that appeared prefer it scraped the scoreboard.
Then he made one other, and he began to jaw on the opposing bench.
Later, Amir Coffey bought the project to cowl Doncic and the Lakers star made one other three, goading the Clippers to get somebody who might truly defend him.
Hearth. Depth. Showmanship. Talent.
Later, he made one other three over ace Clippers defender Kris Dunn, spraying a spew of what positive appeared like obscenities at any Clippers participant who thought they may cease him.
This was the place Doncic went; this was the place the Lakers wanted him to be.
Enjoying with out starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and with out rising reserve guard Jordan Goodwin, the Lakers wanted their stars to hold them — particularly of their fourth recreation at Crypto.com Area prior to now six nights.
After struggling towards Dallas and Minnesota and never having his greatest recreation towards the Clippers on Friday regardless of scoring 31 factors, Doncic carried the Lakers to a 108-102 win over the Clippers that was a showcase of each his spirit and manufacturing.
He completed with 29 factors, six rebounds and 9 assists.
The Lakers have been plus-19 in Doncic’s minutes, second solely to Dorian Finney-Smith, their plus/minus monster, who completed plus-24. The win is the Lakers’ sixth in a row and twelfth in 14 video games.
Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, middle, knocks the ball out of the arms of Lakers middle Jaxson Hayes throughout the first half Sunday.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
The win additionally moved the Lakers (38-21) to second within the Western Convention.
Needing 18 factors to succeed in 50,000 profession factors (common season and playoffs mixed), LeBron James completed with 17. The ultimate three got here after the Clippers reduce a 21-point lead down to 5. James missed three pictures on the identical possession, the Lakers bailing him out with offensive rebounds every time, earlier than he made a nook three to place them again up eight.
The Clippers (32-28) nonetheless pushed, determined to even the season collection with the Lakers at two wins every, however Kawhi Leonard’s season-high 33 factors weren’t sufficient.
