Clippers Vs Lakers: Lakers Hold On for 125-122 Win in Return From All-Star Break
In the clippers vs lakers matchup on Friday night, the Lakers edged the Clippers 125-122 in their first game back from the All-Star break. The result moved the Lakers to 34-21 while the Clippers fell to 27-29, a close finish that followed multiple momentum swings and late-game drama.
Clippers Vs Lakers: Final Score and Standings
The final was 125-122 in favor of the Lakers. The victory improved the Lakers' record to 34-21; the Clippers dropped to 27-29. The tight margin reflected a game that saw both teams trade control across quarters and hinge on late possessions.
First Quarter Swing
The game began with Brook Lopez opening a personal 5-0 run for the Clippers while Austin Reaves scored the first five points for the Lakers. Early offense surged for the Lakers, who at one stretch were shooting 80% from the field. LeBron James added a quick seven points, and by the 6: 18 mark the purple and gold were up by three. Luka Dončić then heated up, draining two 3-pointers for six points; Lopez led the Clippers with nine at that point. After a Laker timeout, Luke Kennard hit a 3-pointer. Luka sank two more triples later in the quarter, and the Lakers had taken complete control, finishing the first up by 12.
Second Quarter and Halftime
Benedict Mathurin opened the second with a jump shot for the Clippers. Reaves continued to make plays, converting on a jumper off the glass, and Rui Hachimura joined from deep with a three. Kawhi Leonard started to heat up for the Clippers, scoring eight points in a stretch that helped keep the game competitive; at the 7: 35 mark the Lakers were up by 13. The Clippers cut the deficit to single digits largely on Leonard's shoulders—he was at 13 points for the half at one point. Deandre Ayton stopped part of the Lakers' push with a dunk off an assist from Luka, and John Collins responded with a triple for the Clippers. Luka knocked down another 3-pointer and was shooting 71% from behind the arc. Leonard then scored another eight points in the half, bringing his total to 21 for the half. The Clippers were winning the second-chance points battle 14-2, which helped keep them within striking distance, and at halftime the Lakers led by seven.
Third Quarter Rally
The third began with Leonard committing a turnover that led to Reaves hitting a 3 on the other end. The Lakers went on a 10-2 run to take a 15-point lead, but the Clippers immediately answered with four straight points. Reaves reached 22 points after draining his third 3-pointer of the game. A Lakers double-digit advantage evaporated as they allowed six unanswered points—four of those came from Derrick Jones Jr. The Clippers then produced a 17-1 scoring run that put them ahead by two, forcing the Lakers to respond. The purple and gold answered with Luka draining a 3-pointer and Kennard converting a layup, reclaiming the lead. Going into the fourth, the Lakers held a four-point edge; the Clippers had outscored the Lakers by three in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter and Closing Moments
Jarred Vanderbilt opened the final frame with a dunk for the Lakers. Three foul calls early on the purple and gold led to several stoppages in play, disrupting rhythm on both ends. The Clippers tied the game at the 9: 50 mark of the fourth. Reaves then drained a 3-pointer to put his team back in the lead during a late stretch of tight possessions. The clippers vs lakers contest ultimately finished 125-122, with the Lakers holding on in a game defined by streaks, second-chance differentials, and timely outside shooting.
