Lakers Edge Clippers 108-102 in Thrilling Rematch

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 108-102 victory over the LA Clippers on March 2, 2025, clinching their sixth straight win in front of a home crowd at Crypto.com Arena. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 29 points, complemented by LeBron James, who contributed 17 points and nine assists. The Lakers prevailed despite missing two key starters.

The game was a rematch after the teams faced off just two days prior, where the Lakers also claimed victory. Dončić’s strong performance included shooting 9 of 17 from the field, and he added six rebounds and nine assists to his game statistics. With this win, the Lakers have now triumphed in 16 of their last 19 games.

The Clippers, despite being down by 21 points late in the game, mounted a comeback, with Kawhi Leonard scoring a season-high 33 points. However, the Clippers faltered in the final moments, hitting only one of their last six shots, which sealed their fifth loss in six games.

“We just couldn’t finish the way we wanted to,” Leonard said post-game. “We showed resilience to fight back, but it was just too little, too late.”

The Lakers had to adjust their strategy as they played without injured players Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Despite the absences, their recent gameplay suggests a strong chemistry formed under pressure. The team currently sits in second place in the Western Conference at 38-21.

“Something special might be brewing,” James mentioned regarding the team’s current trajectory. “We’re building momentum even with the injuries.”

The pivotal moment came when the Lakers held an 86-66 lead after Dončić left the game for a brief period. The Clippers responded with a 22-7 run but could not overcome the deficit.

In addition to Dončić’s contributions, rookie Dalton Knecht added 19 points coming off the bench, solidifying the Lakers’ offensive push. Other notable performances included Jarred Vanderbilt, with nine rebounds, and Dorian Finney-Smith, who chipped in with 11 points.

The Clippers’ struggles continued, with key players like James Harden having a challenging night, shooting just 4 of 14. Ivica Zubac provided a strong presence, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough against the dominant Lakers.

“We need to tighten things up moving forward,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “Turning over the ball 18 times is just unacceptable.”

As the rivalry continues, both teams will meet again for their next games with the Clippers visiting the Phoenix Suns and the Lakers hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on March 5.