The LA Lakers can clinch the top spot in Western Conference group B of the 2025 NBA Cup with a win against the LA Clippers tonight. The extra prize money that the in-season tournament offers seems to be added motivation for Luka Doncic. He stepped on the Crypto.com Arena with all guns blazing with the goal of carrying his team to a win.
Doncic dominated the first quarter, as nearly every offensive possession ran through him. He went off for 24 points in the same period, tying Kobe Bryant’s franchise record set back in 2007. He did so by recording 9-14 FG, including 5-8 attempts from three-point land.
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Well, we know Luka loves to cook against the Clippers! 24 points in the first quarter. That is the most points in a quarter by a Laker since Kobe in 2007.
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Even with his incredible start, the Lakers still trailed 38-37 after one. However, the momentum shifted in the second quarter. The Purple & Gold bounced back, taking a 69-66 lead heading into halftime. By halftime, Doncic had 32 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds.
His production in this latest Battle of LA serves as a reminder of how his level increases when matched up against the Clippers. Before tonight, he averaged 32.3 points in 20 career meetings with them, as compared to his overall career average of 28.8.
Luka Doncic aims to replicate a feat achieved by Kobe Bryant
Luka Doncic has already shown how committed he is to the Lakers, talking about putting his body on the line during their November 23 matchup with the Utah Jazz. Now he is opening up about what he ultimately hopes to achieve while donning the Purple & Gold jersey.
He wants to join the list of all-time greats in Los Angeles. He specifically mentioned Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as the legends he hopes to follow by bringing another championship to the city.
“Kobe brought so many championships here. LeBron brought a championship here. So I want to be the next one to do that, for sure,” Doncic said. “I met Kobe, I’m playing with LeBron, just as a little kid in Slovenia, I just wanted to play basketball. Just wanted to touch the NBA. And now I’m playing with the best.”
It is still very early in the season, but the first month has given plenty of positive takeaways to Lakers Nation. With a 12-4 record and a position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Luka Doncic and the Lakers are already looking like true title contenders.
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Edited by Advait Jajodia
