NBA
Lakers Beat Clippers 103–87 With Luka Dončić Sidelined
Quentin Grimes scored 23 points and Collin Sexton added 21 off the bench as the Lakers won without Dončić and Ziaire Williams.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 103–87 Wednesday at Intuit Dome, winning their second meeting of the young season despite playing without Luka Dončić because of back tightness.
Quentin Grimes scored 23 points and Collin Sexton supplied a season-high 21 off the bench. The Lakers improved to 4–1, with six players reaching double figures as they distributed the scoring responsibility in Dončić’s absence.
The Lakers’ available lineup
Starting forward Ziaire Williams also missed the game with soreness in his left foot. Coach JJ Redick described both absences as precautionary, according to the Associated Press game recap.
The result provided a response to the Lakers’ first defeat of the season against Portland. It also demonstrated how the available group handled a game without the player who had entered the night averaging 36 points.
The decisive separation came before halftime. Los Angeles outscored the Clippers 31–16 in the second quarter after leading by three at the end of the first, building a 56–38 advantage at the break.
The Clippers had a better scoring third quarter but did not erase that deficit. The Lakers maintained control into the final period and finished with a 16-point margin.
Defense and rebounding decide the game
The game’s statistical record shows the Lakers held the Clippers to 35.1 percent shooting. The Lakers shot 44.3 percent and finished with a 56–47 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Neither team avoided turnovers. The Lakers committed 19, while the Clippers finished with 24. Those figures are part of the game’s uneven offensive picture, even though the Lakers generated enough scoring across their available rotation to win comfortably.
The Lakers made 24 of 33 free throws, compared with 25 of 27 for the Clippers. The visitors’ larger advantage came from field goals and rebounds.
Dončić’s absence remained an availability development rather than an announced long-term timetable. Wednesday’s precautionary decision does not itself establish whether he will play in the next game.
TSP’s NBA coverage follows the Lakers’ results and subsequent team injury updates.
