When Luka Doncic sustained a left leg contusion and sat out your entire second half of a 103-88 loss to the Clippers at Intuit Dome on Saturday night time, he grew to become the most recent in a rising checklist of ailing Lakers.
Doncic performed 19 minutes within the first half however didn’t return for the third quarter. He had 12 factors, 5 rebounds and two assists on the break. However Doncic struggled together with his capturing, going 4 for 13 from the sector and one for six from three-point vary.
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Doncic entered because the main scorer within the NBA, averaging 35.2 factors per recreation, and was third in assists, averaging 9.1. He had torched the Clippers for 43 factors in a win final month.
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Rui Hachimura missed his first begin of the season due to a sore groin that’s anticipated to maintain him out three to 5 days. Austin Reaves (left calf), Deandre Ayton (left elbow) and Gabe Vincent (decrease again tightness) are also out.
The Clippers additionally misplaced a key participant Saturday when heart Ivica Zubac sustained a left ankle damage within the first quarter. Zubac, who has performed each recreation this season and leads the crew in rebounds and blocks, logged simply 11 minutes.
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The Clippers (7-21) entered the sport tied for the worst report within the Western Convention. That they had misplaced 5 video games in a row, eight straight at house and 10 of their final 11 total.
They received off to a great begin Saturday, constructing a 22-point lead over the Lakers (19-8), who lower their deficit to seven factors within the fourth quarter earlier than fading. It was the Lakers’ season low in factors.
Lakers star Lebron James places up a shot over a number of Clippers defenders throughout the Clippers’ 103-88 win Saturday on the Intuit Dome. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
LeBron James led the Lakers with a season-high 36 factors. Jake LaRavia had 12 factors and 11 rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard had 32 factors and 12 rebounds for the Clippers and James Harden had 21 factors and 10 assists.
Earlier than the sport Lakers coach JJ Redick was requested how he is coping with a depleted roster.
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“Simply handle the sport and play with the appropriate spirit,” Redick stated.
Redick stated Hachimura sat out after he felt hip ache towards Utah on Thursday night time. Reaves was “persevering with to push himself” to return quickly, Redick stated, and Ayton had “swelling” in his elbow however had a “brisk, intense particular person exercise.”
Redick stated it’s doable Reaves and Ayton may return Tuesday at Phoenix.
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.
