Clippers Claim Victory Over Lakers at Intuit Dome

In a compelling match at the newly opened Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers triumphed over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 116-102. This game marked the Lakers’ inaugural visit to the Clippers’ new home on the evening of January 19, 2025.

Norman Powell led the Clippers with an impressive 22 points, while James Harden contributed significantly with 21 points and 12 assists. Kawhi Leonard added 19 points, and Ivica Zubac posted a remarkable performance with 21 points and 19 rebounds. This was the first clash of the season between the two storied franchises, who have a long history of rivalry.

On the Lakers’ side, LeBron James scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists, with Rui Hachimura adding 19 points. Anthony Davis made his return to the lineup, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds after missing a game due to plantar fasciitis. Unfortunately for the Lakers, their two-game winning streak came to an end.

Kawhi Leonard matched his season high in playing time with 24 minutes, though he sat out the fourth quarter due to a minutes restriction. Leonard notably scored eight consecutive points during the third quarter, surpassing the 14,000 career points milestone, as the Clippers established a commanding 26-point lead.

Key Takeaways:

• Lakers: The team’s only lead in the game came from the initial basket. They managed to outscore the Clippers 13-2 at one point, including an 11-0 run that reduced the deficit to 92-77 by the end of the third quarter. Their fans made their presence known, with chants of “Let’s go, Lakers!” resonating throughout the arena.
• Clippers: With this win, the Clippers have secured their third consecutive victory, beginning a challenging stretch that includes six games in nine days.

• Key Moment:
  The decisive second quarter saw the Clippers outpace the Lakers 32-23, leading to a 64-49 halftime advantage while shooting an impressive 58% from the field. The teams were deadlocked with 28 points each in the third quarter, but the Lakers managed a slight edge in the fourth, outscoring the Clippers 25-24.

  Key Stat:
  Both teams demonstrated offensive efficiency, each shooting at least 50% from the field. The Lakers made nine three-pointers compared to the Clippers’ 11.

  Looking Ahead:
  The Lakers are set to host the Wizards on Tuesday, while the Clippers will face the Bulls in their next outing on Monday.

  NBA Standings

  #	Form NBA 24/25	GP	P
  1	Cleveland Cavaliers	41	0
  2	Oklahoma City Thunder	42	0
  3	Boston Celtics	42	0
  4	Houston Rockets	41	0
  5	Memphis Grizzlies	42	0
  6	New York Knicks	43	0
  7	Denver Nuggets	42	0
  8	Los Angeles Clippers	41	0
  8	Milwaukee Bucks	41	0
  10	Indiana Pacers	43	0