LeBron James watches the Lakers lose as the Clippers’ offense falters

Russell Westbrook encountered a challenge in the late first quarter on Tuesday as he struggled to fit his right foot into his black Jordans. Despite the footwear issue, the game continued.

With one sneaker and one sock touching the court, Westbrook dribbled to the left and successfully sank a three-pointer. In the latest Lakers versus Clippers matchup, even seemingly absurd shots found the mark.

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The Clippers capitalized on Kawhi Leonard’s mid-range shots, James Harden’s stepbacks, Paul George’s drives, and Westbrook’s three-pointers. The Lakers responded with Anthony Davis showcasing his dominance in the paint, D’Angelo Russell’s scoring prowess, and all three other starters contributing double-digit scores.

The Clippers, more than the Lakers, had the tools to secure a victory in this type of game, utilizing their well-distributed offensive firepower to secure a 127-116 win.

Kawhi Leonard contributed 25 points, and James Harden added 23, leading six Clippers players to achieve double figures. Despite a notable performance of 27 points from D’Angelo Russell and 26 points with 12 rebounds from Anthony Davis for the Lakers, they struggled in the fourth quarter, resulting in a loss.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham acknowledged the challenge of facing the Clippers, stating, “You damn near have to play perfect basketball to beat these guys.” While the Lakers were content with their effort, especially without LeBron James, the Clippers were critical of their own performance, recognizing areas for improvement at the midpoint of the season.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue expressed dissatisfaction with their defensive coverages, stating, “We were all over the place. We’ve just got to continue to keep getting better.”

Despite the offensive nature of the game, there was a standout defensive play when James Harden attempted a transition basket, only to be met by D’Angelo Russell in a remarkable blocked shot – a notable defensive highlight in a game filled with offensive skills.

In a night marked by high-scoring performances in the NBA, including Joel Embiid’s 70 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 62 points, the offensive intensity continued at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers maintained a shooting accuracy of over 60% for the majority of the game, slightly slowing down in the fourth quarter due to increased physicality and intensity.

The Lakers struggled with their offense throughout the season, and despite a resilient effort, they couldn’t fully recover from a 16-point first-half deficit, bringing them within a single possession in the fourth quarter. The absence of LeBron James, ruled out due to a left ankle injury, hindered their comeback attempt.

The decision to rest James was described as a proactive measure for his ankle, with coach Darvin Ham stating, “He’ll probably be day-to-day. But that’s pretty much it.”

The Clippers secured their first victory over the Lakers this season, although the significance is limited given the teams’ differing standings. The Clippers hold a 28-14 record, while the Lakers dropped to 22-23.

Coach Ham acknowledged the competitive spirit of the Lakers but highlighted the impact of mistakes against a team like the Clippers, stating, “They’re going to make you pay. That’s how they’re built.” The Lakers will face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, marking their final game in Los Angeles before embarking on a road trip. Despite the Clippers’ strong rhythm, Ham emphasized the positive aspects of the Lakers’ performance, noting their competitiveness and accountability for mistakes. He expressed disappointment in the loss but pride in how the team competed in LeBron James’ absence.