In what has been a familiar formula this season, the Lakers hung tight in the 1st half on the strength of a blistering 2nd quarter run, but a 3rd quarter takeover by the Clippers carried over into the final frame and the Lakers fell 114-101 to drop to 2-9 on the season.
On the front of everyone’s mind isn’t just the loss of the game, but of LeBron James who exited halfway through the 4th quarter due to what was described as “left leg soreness” during the contest, but confirmed after the game by LeBron that it was a tweak of his groin. James didn’t elaborate too much on the severity of the injury, but did note he planned to get treatment over the next 24-hours and into Friday in the hopes of being in the lineup for the team’s next game.
Losing James when they did was especially harmful considering how well he’d played to that point in game, pouring in 30 points on 12-22 shooting, including hitting 4 of his 9 attempts from behind the arc. It was LeBron’s best jump shooting night of the season and, on a night where the Clippers were able to create separation through their own shot making, those made threes from Bron kept the Lakers within striking distance.
Beyond LeBron’s strong night, both Anthony Davis (21 points, 9-16 shooting) and Troy Brown (14 points, 6-10 shooting) scored efficiently and were key in helping the team stay connected on the scoreboard with timely shots in the middle of key runs. AD, facing strong resistance in the paint from Ivica Zubac, did most of his work rolling downhill as a lob threat, but was also able to knock down some jumpers to keep the defense honest.
Brown, meanwhile, showed a well-balanced attack offensively, knocking down two 3-pointers while mixing in step-back jumpers and creative finishes around the basket with both hands. After the game, LeBron offered strong praise for Brown saying that he’s been “great” this season and further remarked on Brown’s ability to play at a high level regardless of whether he’s come off the bench or as a starter.
These offensive exploits from the Lakers, however, simply were not enough to keep pace with a well-balanced and explosive Clippers shooting team. Six Clippers scored in double figures, led by Paul George’s 29 points on 10-17 shooting. George only connected on 2 of his 7 attempts from behind the arc, but he shot his mid-range jumper extremely well, often elevating over smaller Lakers defenders out of the mid-post and when curling off screens. On a night where Kawhi Leonard sat out with knee soreness, George continued on his recent run of offensive success and set the tone for his team on that end of the floor.
For the Lakers, there’s certainly some positives to take away from this game – from their defensive effort and focus in the 2nd quarter to their ability to fight back multiple times with quick bursts on both ends to keep the game within striking distance. The team is certainly showing flashes of what they can be and building on that is certainly a major focus moving forward.
But, considering the outcome of the game, the team’s overall record, and with LeBron’s health status uncertain, there is a lot to consider and to look inward on in order to get back on track and dig themselves out of the hole they’re in record-wise. After the game, Coach Ham noted the need to sustain the positive stretches they are exhibiting by continuing to play with requisite effort and defensive intensity needed to compete.
These are lessons the team will try to put into practice when they are back in action vs. the Kings on Friday night.