The Los Angeles Lakers failed to see out a strong performance against the Los Angeles Clippers in a rivalry game that the high-flying Clippers won 127-116. The season series between the rivals is at 2-1 in the Lakers’ favor, who were without LeBron James for the game. Fans were encouraged by the close fight against the Clippers while ruing LeBron’s unavailability.
Final total pic.twitter.com/bpjLcLWWw5
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 24, 2024
Lakers fans think they would have won the game if LeBron James was healthy.
We battled tonight 💯 Easily win this with LeBron it’s clear. All I wanted to see. We move 🤝
— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) January 24, 2024
Anthony Davis didn’t impact the game in the fourth quarter, a problem that Lakers fans are noticing.
Anthony Davis touched the ball 3 times in closing time
That is a major, major problem
— LAbound (@LAbound2) January 24, 2024
D’Angelo Russell’s stellar play recently has got fans defending him after heavy trade rumors.
dlo really such a good player man
i don’t understand why the league acts like he stinks
he not the only wildly inconsistent player in the league
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) January 24, 2024
Kawhi Leonard notched only the second triple-double of his career, with fans appreciating his sensational play on the night.
KAWHI SECOND TRIPLE DOUBLE OF CAREER pic.twitter.com/fyq4ONyQIE
— KlawWrld (@kawhi_ring) January 24, 2024
Many Clippers fans were upset with how their team performed and cited roster changes for why the Lakers have been a tough out for them all year.
We've been absolute dog shit tonight imo. Just get it done. Not a fan of our matchup with the Lakers this year.
We lost size and they added size. Before we had big wings and they had small guards on them. Now they have big forwards and we lack them. Without Zu, no boards
— Dime Dropper (@DimeDropperPod) January 24, 2024
Many Lakers fans were positive after this closely-fought loss.
Call me crazy but after watching this game I think the lakers can do damage in the playoffs. They just have to make it with all due respect
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) January 24, 2024
Lakers fans think the team would have been performing better all year if Darvin Ham wasn’t the coach.
I’m telling you, this team would be a top seeded playoff team but Darvin Ham is ruining it. Legit lakers are one Lebron or AD injury away from not making the playoffs at all https://t.co/H68TN9twwc
— 🅿️ainSzn (@cjsweet567) January 24, 2024
D’Angelo Russell continued his strong recent form and ended the night with 27 points and 10 assists, along with a highlight block. Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds but disappeared in the fourth quarter, scoring no points despite the game being as close as four points in that time.
Kawhi Leonard notched the second triple-double of his career with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in this high-stakes win. James Harden had 23 points and 10 assists while Paul George and Norman Powell put up 17 points apiece. Russell Westbrook had a starring role off the bench, putting up 16 quick points while shooting 3/3 from three-point range.
The Lakers Fall Under .500 Once Again
The Lakers are now sitting with a 22-23 record, finding consistency for the first time this season, but as a team that flirts around a .500 record. Missing LeBron James was a massive blow for the team, especially against an opponent like the Clippers. The Lakers are 2-3 without LeBron this season, but their two wins were against the Trail Blazers and the Spurs. The Lakers did lose to the Spurs when Anthony Davis was out and LeBron played, but they needed him for tonight’s game against the Clippers.
Anthony Davis’ fourth-quarter disappearing act has to be incredibly frustrating for fans, as he had a dominant first three quarters. The Clippers had no answer for him without Ivica Zubac, so it was odd to see him not assert himself in the fourth quarter. D’Angelo Russell tried his best to keep the Lakers in the game, but the inconsistent offense around him led to the loss.
There are positives from this game for the Lakers, as they managed to stay competitive for most of the game against one of the best teams in the NBA without LeBron. This also proves that the Lakers, with their size and physicality, are a tough matchup for the Clippers, but the Clippers hot shooting made it a moot point tonight.
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