The Los Angeles Lakers are facing the Los Angeles Clippers for the second time in three days, as the neighboring franchises add another clash to their rivalry. Luka Doncic has a personal rivalry with the Clippers across three Playoff series and multiple iconic performances against them while on the Dallas Mavericks.
After one of his best games as a Laker in their 106-102 win over the Clippers a few days ago, Doncic got off to a hot start with 12 points in the first quarter. After his third step-back three of the quarter, he aimed some trash talk towards the Clippers’ bench.
“You gotta step up.”
"You Gotta Step Up" – Luka hits his third step back three of the game and is talking to the Clippers bench 👀 pic.twitter.com/kEbvliPSkq
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) March 3, 2025
Doncic would also be seen telling James Harden a simple fact about how effective Harden’s defense was on him.
“You can’t f***ing guard me.”
“YOU CAN’T F*CKING GUARD ME” 🗣️
– Luka is cooking Harden 😭 (via @LADEig)
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 3, 2025
Doncic had 12 points (4-5 FG), three rebounds, and three assists with 10 minutes played in the first quarter. Unfortunately, he went back to the locker room after subbing out while holding his right thigh, prompting concerns about him worsening his calf injury, which has greatly impacted most of his season this year.
Luka is heading to the locker room… he’s holding his thigh. pic.twitter.com/nQehCfmy74
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 3, 2025
The Slovenian guard put up 31 points (9-22 FG), five assists, and three steals in the win over the Clippers on Friday. He’s averaging 21.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists as a Laker.
He returned to the court in the second quarter of the game, looking noticeably colder and out-of-rhythm. There’s a long game still ahead of us, so the hope will be that Doncic finds his shot as the game progresses.
He’s been hot-and-cold throughout his time with the Lakers but his encouraging start to this game had many thinking another historic night could be brewing.
The injury has surely dampened the prospects of a major offensive explosion, but there’s still plenty of time for Doncic to put together a gaudy stat line, provided he’s not forcing himself to play through major discomfort.
The Lakers are already without Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, so they cannot afford Doncic going down now as well.
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