Luka Dončić powered the Lakers to their sixth consecutive victory, leading them past the LA Clippers 108-102 on Sunday night. He set the tone early, finishing the first quarter with 12 points and three rebounds to help Los Angeles take a 34-30 lead.
Dončić delivered a stellar all-around performance, logging 37 minutes and contributing 29 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. He shot 9-of-17 from the field, 5-of-12 from three, and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line, finishing with a game-high +19.
Luka Dončić leads LAL to their 6th straight win!
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2025
⭐️ 29 PTS (52.9 FG%)
⭐️ 9 AST
⭐️ 6 REB
⭐️ 5 3PM
The @Lakers are now 2nd in the West 👀 pic.twitter.com/saBDr9ahhW
It was arguably his best home game of the season, as he found his rhythm, hitting stepback threes with ease and shouldering the scoring load on a night when LeBron James struggled.
James played 36 minutes, posting 17 points, five rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and one block. However, he shot just 6-of-17 from the floor and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, finishing with a -5. He came up one point shy of the 50,000-career-point milestone.
The Lakers return to action on Tuesday, Mar. 4, when they host the New Orleans Pelicans at 10:30 p.m. ET. The game will air locally on Spectrum SportsNet.
Luka Dončić likened the strategic nature of the game to chess
While Luka Dončić has now faced the Clippers twice as a Laker, his battles with them date back to his Dallas Mavericks days. Reflecting on those matchups, Dončić likened the strategic nature of the game to chess.
“I remember last game there was only one coverage with me,” Dončić said. “But like I always say, it’s like playing chess a little bit. You gotta read the defense and take what the defense gives you.”
Luka Doncic on his battles with the Clippers over the years:
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 3, 2025
“I remember last game there was only one coverage with me. But like I always say, it’s like playing chess a little bit. You gotta read the defense and take what the defense gives you.”
Is there something extra there… pic.twitter.com/9CWTakiH7C
When asked if there’s an extra edge when facing the Clippers, Dončić didn’t hesitate and said:
“Maybe. Obviously. We went back and forth a lot with the Clippers,” Dončić said. “That’s what I like. For me, that’s fun. That’s how I get going. Especially on the basketball court.”
The Lakers and Clippers won’t meet again this season unless they clash in the playoffs. Given the current Western Conference standings, that possibility is very much in play. If it happens, Dončić will have another shot at asserting his dominance over L.A.’s other powerhouse.
READ: Kyrie Irving & Luka Doncic set the record straight on their bond post-Lakers trade
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
