Luka Doncic drilled a three-pointer proper in entrance of the Clippers’ bench late within the first quarter after which glared at them, shaking his head as he ran again down courtroom to play protection for the Lakers, simply one of many many piercing stares he despatched their means after delivering one in every of his three-point bombs.
It appears as if Doncic has his personal private rivalry in opposition to the Clippers and it simply merely folded into the inter-city rivalry.
Commercial
And as soon as once more, Doncic overwhelmed the Clippers in directing the Lakers to a 135-118 win Tuesday night time at Crypto.com Area.
He got here up one rebound shy of a triple-double, dropping 43 factors, 13 assists and 9 rebounds. He was 14 for 28 from the sphere, seven for 12 from three-point vary and eight for 11 from the free-throw line.
Learn extra: ‘Legend’: Claire Rothman, Discussion board president throughout Lakers’ ‘Showtime’ dynasty, dies at 97
In main the Lakers to their fifth straight win, Doncic now has recorded 39 double-double video games of at the very least 40 factors, which moved him previous Anthony Davis for the fourth most amongst lively gamers and tying Magic Johnson for the sixth most 40-point double-doubles as a Laker.
Commercial
Doncic additionally tied Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal for probably the most 40-point double-doubles as a Laker earlier than the age of 27 for the reason that NBA/ABA merger (5).
“I feel we performed an awesome sport,” Doncic mentioned. “I feel they have been getting plenty of photographs, particularly within the first half.”
Late within the fourth quarter, the sport turned bodily, and Doncic was in the course of it.
Kris Dunn pushed Doncic within the again, and Doncic confronted Dunn, who then put the basketball in Doncic’s chest. Jaxson Hayes then stepped in and pushed Dunn.
Ultimately, Dunn was assessed two technical fouls and ejected from the sport and Hayes was assessed a technical foul. Doncic shot a technical foul free throw with 3:33 left within the sport.
Commercial
“After all, I recognize it,” Doncic mentioned about Hayes stepping in to assist him. “I instructed him straight away, ‘Thanks for having my again.’ And that claims quite a bit about him. That claims quite a bit about this staff. Everyone has bought one another’s again.”
Kawhi Leonard of the Clippers was referred to as for a foul after flattening Austin Reaves on this play. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Instances)
Doncic scored 24 factors in opposition to the Clippers within the first quarter alone, making his first 5 three-pointers earlier than ending the quarter 5 for eight from three, 9 for 14 from the sphere, lots of the baskets punctuated by a stare down on the Clippers’ bench.
By the half, Doncic had posted 32 factors on 11-for-17 taking pictures and 6 for 10 on three-pointers and 6 assists.
Commercial
Over the course of his profession with the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic, who’s averaging 12.5 free-throw makes an attempt per sport, has torn the Clippers aside.
Coming into Tuesday night time’s sport, he had averaged 32.2 factors per sport over 20 video games, his highest in opposition to any Western Convention foe. He had produced 7.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and shot 48% from the sphere, 36% from the three-point line.
When requested why he has carried out so nicely in opposition to the Clippers, Doncic shrugged.
“I don’t know,” he mentioned. “I feel we simply met plenty of occasions within the playoffs. They beat me the primary two occasions, so I do not know what it’s. I suppose I prefer it.”
Commercial
Learn extra: Shooters shoot: How the Lakers are dealing with their early three-point hunch
With Deandre Ayton (proper knee contusion) out and Hayes beginning in his place, Austin Reaves (31 factors) and LeBron James (25), did their half to assist the Lakers clinch Group B of the NBA cup with a 3-0 file.
The Lakers end group play in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks right here Friday night time and the Clippers full their group play in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night time at Intuit Dome.
And so forth.
Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned that Ayton bought an MRI examination on his knee that “was clear different than simply some swelling, somewhat little bit of a bruise.” Ayton was injured within the first half in opposition to the Jazz Sunday. “Don’t suppose it’s going to be a long-term factor,” Redick mentioned. “Hopefully it’s a game-to-game factor and he’s again sooner or later by the top of the week.”…The Lakers introduced that they signed ahead Drew Timme to a two-way contract and waived two-way middle Christian Koloko. Timme has performed for the Lakers’ G League staff, the South Bay Lakers, and posted averages of 25.5 factors, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 25.5 minutes over six video games. The 6-foot-10 Timme performed his school basketball at Gonzaga.
Join our weekly e-newsletter on all issues Lakers.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.
