Leonard suddenly stopped playing mid-game! The Lakers narrowly defeated the Clippers, almost allowing a tie at the last moment.

Today, the Lakers faced their city rivals, the Clippers, at home. Prior to this game, they had met three times this season, with the Lakers holding a 1-2 record. The Lakers started with Doncic, Smart, Reeves, James, and Ayton, while the Clippers’ starters were Dunn, Leonard, Little Jones, Collins, and Big Lo.

At the start, Doncic missed a layup and committed a turnover, leading the opponents to a 5-0 run, with their first seven points all coming from Big Lo. The Lakers’ first seven points were all scored by Reeves.

Doncic finally scored.

James orchestrated the offense, scoring seven consecutive points, including a difficult buzzer-beater jump shot at the 24-second mark.

After James assisted Ayton for an easy basket, the Lakers led 18-15 and called a timeout. At this point, James was 3-for-3 with 7 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal entering the break. Leonard made a mid-range jumper, and Doncic responded with a three-pointer.

Hayes didn’t shine in the dunk contest, so he had to prove his skills during the game.

Doncic kept hitting threes, and the Lakers’ shooting percentage was very high, with the team making 11 of 13 attempts.

After some defensive lapses, the Clippers scored 4 straight points, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout. Kennard and LaRavia both hit three-pointers.

Doncic nailed two consecutive three-pointers, dominating with four threes in the quarter.

James returned and assisted Doncic for a layup. The first quarter ended with the Lakers leading 41-29. James had 7 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal; Doncic had 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists; Ayton had 2 points and 2 rebounds; Reeves had 7 points and 1 assist; LaRavia and Kennard each had 3 points; Hayes had 2 points and 2 rebounds.

In the second quarter, Reeves opened with a jumper, followed by Hachimura’s three-pointer. At this point, the Lakers had made 9 of their 10 three-point attempts — can you believe it?

James went down after being elbowed by Niedhauser, who was given a flagrant foul 1. James made both free throws.

The Clippers closed the gap a bit, but Ayton scored another easy basket.

Leonard drew a foul on Vander Blue’s three-point shot and made all three free throws. James hit a tough turnaround jumper, now 4-for-5 and in double digits.

James rested while Ayton slammed a dunk — that assist was really valuable.

Kennard scored on a mid-range jumper, and Doncic kept hitting threes, now 5 of 6.

Leonard wasn’t backing down either, scoring 19 points in the quarter.

The Clippers kept closing in, and James returned to the court. Hayes finished with a dunk.

After the timeout, Reeves made a flashy shot.

James assisted Hayes for an easy dunk.

On the other side, Collins fell, hit his head, started bleeding, and had to go back to the locker room.

At halftime, the Lakers led 72-65 over the Clippers. James had 11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal; Doncic had 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists; Reeves had 14 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists; Ayton had 8 points and 3 rebounds; Hachimura had 3 points; Kennard had 5 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist; LaRavia had 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist; Hayes had 6 points and 3 rebounds.

In the third quarter, Reeves made a three-pointer, improving to 7-for-7 from the field!

James hit a smooth jump shot with ease.

James pushed the fast break, and Ayton completed a dunk plus a foul for a three-point play!

The lead grew, Reeves made another three, but the Clippers responded with a 9-0 run. The Lakers didn’t call a timeout and stayed calm.

Doncic made one of two free throws, but the Clippers kept scoring, going on a 17-1 run to take the lead. Doncic answered with a three-pointer.

Reddick kept refusing to call a timeout, but after Kennard scored, the Clippers finally called one.

Hayes dunked, the Clippers scored a 2+1, Kennard made a layup, the opponents made both free throws, Reeves drew a foul on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws, while the Clippers continued scoring from the line. The Lakers entered the fourth quarter leading 99-95.

In the final quarter, James assisted Vander Blue for a dunk.

The opponents scored 6 straight points to tie the game, but Reeves hit a crucial three-pointer.

The opponents made a buzzer-beater at the 24-second mark.

Both teams got a bit chaotic; the Clippers hit a three to take the lead, prompting Reddick to call a timeout.

Smart finally scored, a three-pointer, but the opponents answered with a three as well. Smart then completed a 2+1 on a mid-range shot. With Doncic hitting his seventh three-pointer, the timeout was called.

At this moment, Leonard conferred with the coach and, due to ankle soreness, decided to leave the game and not return.

Both teams exchanged free throws; the opponents made a floater, and Doncic hit another three!

After the Clippers’ timeout, they scored a layup. Doncic made one of two free throws. Reeves drew the sixth foul on Matherlin; the Clippers challenged but lost, and Matherlin fouled out.

Doncic completed a critical 2+1 play.

The opponents made a three-pointer; Smart scored a 2+1 but missed the free throw.

The opponents also completed a 2+1 but missed the free throw.

Doncic was fouled and made both free throws; the opponents did the same. With 9.7 seconds left, the Lakers led by 3 points. Reddick called a timeout, but the Lakers made a turnover and nearly allowed a tie. Fortunately, the opponents missed the shot.

The Lakers won 125-122. James finished with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal; Doncic had 38 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block; Reeves scored 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals; Smart had 7 points and 2 rebounds; Ayton had 13 points and 7 rebounds; Hachimura added 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists; Kennard had 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist; LaRavia scored 3 points; Hayes had 8 points and 3 rebounds; Vander Blue contributed 2 points and 2 assists.

Here are the stats from both teams: