Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
The rest of the NBA is on notice because Luka Dončić is joining a red-hot Los Angeles Lakers team.
Los Angeles improved to 29-19 overall and 7-1 in its last eight with a 122-97 victory over the L.A. Clippers on Tuesday at Intuit Dome. As for the Clippers, they are still a solid 28-22 on the season despite their second loss in a row.
LeBron James was unstoppable on his way to 26 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, while Austin Reaves (20 points, nine assists and six rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (20 points and six rebounds) played well in support.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Luka was loving this Bron and-1 to close out a 73-point first half for the Lakers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JiGiR5BqH2
Norman Powell led the way for the Clippers with 20 points as James Harden (2-of-12 from the field and 0-of-5 from deep) struggled with his shot as the Lakers’ perimeter defenders made life particularly difficult for him.
Social media had plenty of praise for James and the Lakers after the win:
Lakers Nation @LakersNation
It’s not just LeBron, everyone on the #Lakers seems like they have a little extra pep in their step.
TJ Laker @Lakers24LifeMan
It’s becoming more and more obvious. #Lakers with Luka & LeBron (LL) will have a dynamite offense. Just imagine what this team can do with a real center? Scary!
This was the Lakers’ first game since the stunning trade that landed them Dončić and cost Anthony Davis, but the star guard wasn’t ready to return to the court just yet. That left them shorthanded without Dončić or Davis against a Clippers team that won the first matchup.
On paper, it seemed like a clear opportunity for the Clippers to get a win before the Purple and Gold are better prepared for the stretch run with the addition of their new five-time All-Star.
But a locked-in James had other ideas.
The King caught fire in the early going as the Lakers poured in 45 points in the first quarter alone. He drilled shots from deep, attacked the lane and facilitated as a primary ball-handler who looked 15 years younger than his actual age of 40.
James was the headliner, but it wasn’t a one-man show as the visitors built a 23-point halftime lead. Jaxson Hayes threw down a monster dunk, Hachimura found his stroke from beyond the arc and Reaves consistently set his teammates up in ideal position in a point-guard role.
The massive lead meant James got additional rest on the bench, but it didn’t matter for the Clippers. The Purple and Gold had an answer every time the Clippers built even the slightest bit of momentum, especially with Reaves asserting himself more as a scorer with the King on the sidelines.
Even Shake Milton hit a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter, underscoring how everything was clicking for the Lakers.
The fourth quarter was such a formality that the Lakers even put Bronny James in and saw him make his ifrst career three-pointer as the team turns its attention to a home showdown with the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
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