LeBron James and the Lakers Halt Their Losing Streak Against the Clippers After More Than 3 Years
Every Lakers vs. Clippers matchup is a must-watch event, especially since the Clippers shed their former underdog status in the NBA. However, over the past three seasons, the Lakers, led by LeBron James, have experienced a string of disappointing results against their rivals. Their last victory over the Clippers was on July 30, 2020, more than three years and three months ago.
During this period, the Clippers dominated the rivalry, winning 11 consecutive games against the Lakers. In their Wednesday night showdown, it appeared that this trend was set to continue. The Clippers, propelled by a scorching first-half performance by Kawhi Leonard, took an early double-digit lead, reminiscent of their past encounters.
Nevertheless, LeBron James was determined to change the narrative for the Lakers. He delivered an impressive performance with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, leading the Lakers to a thrilling 130-125 overtime victory over the Clippers. This victory not only ended their 11-game losing streak against the Clippers but also marked their first win over their in-city rivals in more than three years. In an intriguing twist, this victory also represents LeBron James’ first-ever triumph against his former head coach from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyronn Lue.
The Lakers required a collective effort, with standout performances not only from James but also from D’Angelo Russell, who scored 27 points and played a pivotal role throughout the game. Additionally, Cam Reddish, starting in place of the injured Taurean Prince, delivered a noteworthy defensive performance.
The Lakers’ victory was not without its share of late-game tension. Despite holding an eight-point lead in the late stages of the game, they allowed the Clippers, led by Paul George, to mount a comeback and force overtime. Ultimately, with George and Norman Powell fouling out, the Clippers lacked the firepower to keep pace, especially as they were playing the second game of a back-to-back. However, for Lakers fans, the most important thing was securing the win, and that’s precisely what they achieved on this memorable night.
