- The Clippers secured a dominant 116-102 win over the Lakers in their first meeting of the season
- Norman Powell led the Clippers with 22 points, while Ivica Zubac contributed 21 points and 19 rebounds
- Kawhi Leonard surpassed 14,000 career points, adding 19 in the game
- LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 11 assists, with Rui Hachimura scoring 19 off the bench
- The game marked the first time since 1999 that one LA team hosted the other in their shared arena
Key Takeaways:
The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a commanding 116-102 win over the Lakers in their first matchup of the season. After an evenly matched start, the Clippers took complete control of the game, building a lead that reached as much as 26 points. Norman Powell spearheaded the Clippers’ attack with 22 points, while Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 21 points and 19 rebounds. James Harden also shined, contributing 21 points and 12 assists, and Kawhi Leonard added 19 points, surpassing 14,000 career points.
The Lakers and Clippers meet for the first time this season 🍿
However, it's the first time since March of 1999 that one LA team hosted the other LA team in their own arena.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers play in the Intuit Dome for the first time tonight. pic.twitter.com/tsKrZxajv3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 19, 2025
LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 11 assists, but his efforts were not enough to keep his team within reach. Rui Hachimura scored 19 points, while Anthony Davis chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The game featured some notable storylines. Brothers Max Christie (Lakers) and Cam Christie (Clippers) faced each other for the first time in their NBA careers. Another curious fact, Ty Lue, a former Lakers player, now coaches the Clippers, while JJ Redick, who once played for the Clippers, is the head coach of the Lakers. Additionally, this was the first LA derby since March 1999 where one Los Angeles team hosted the other in their own arena.