Battle of L.A.: Clippers Edge Lakers in a Physical, Telling Win
The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-104 on Jan. 22, 2026 at the Intuit Dome, a game that showcased the Clippers' ability to build and protect leads, and the Lakers' recurring habit of mounting late comebacks that fall short. Kawhi Leonard led the winners with 24 points, James Harden added 18 points and 10 assists, and Ivica Zubac dominated the glass with 18 points and 19 rebounds, while Luka Dončić had 32 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists and LeBron James scored 23 points for the Lakers.
Game flow and turning points
The Clippers raced out of the gate and controlled the first half, building a lead as large as 26 points early in the third quarter. Their early surge came from a mix of efficient paint scoring, offensive rebounds, and hot perimeter shooting, which forced the Lakers into a reactive mode. Los Angeles chipped away throughout the second half, closing the gap behind a spirited run capped by a late Luka Dončić three, but the Clippers answered with a decisive 10-0 sequence late in the fourth to blunt the comeback and secure the final margin.
Key moments
- Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combined to open third-quarter momentum, extending the lead when the Clippers needed a second-half push.
- Ivica Zubac’s offensive rebounding and second-chance points swung possessions in the Clippers’ favor.
- The Lakers’ late surge was real, but turnovers and missed opportunities on the offensive glass kept them from completing the comeback.
"Not at all," LeBron James said when asked about his reaction to not being named an All-Star starter, a reminder that individual recognition has not distracted his focus, though injuries and minutes management have featured in his season.
Quick stat comparison
Category | Clippers (top lines) | Lakers (top lines) |
|---|---|---|
Final score | 112 | 104 |
Leading scorer | Kawhi Leonard, 24 | Luka Dončić, 32 |
Top rebounder | Ivica Zubac, 19 | Luka Dončić, 11 |
Primary playmaker | James Harden, 18 pts, 10 ast | Luka Dončić, 8 ast |
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Box snapshot: Clippers - efficient paint scoring, 13 offensive rebounds, 94% free throws in crunch time
Lakers - fewer second-chance points, struggled with perimeter defense early
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What the result means, team by team
Clippers
The win reinforced the Clippers’ recent climb from a middling start to a team that can protect leads and close games. The combination of Leonard’s two-way scoring, Harden’s playmaking and Zubac’s interior work has produced balance, and their bench contributions have given coach Tyronn Lue sustained minutes without a collapse in production. The victory also highlighted depth: the Clippers finished with multiple players scoring in double digits, which allowed them to weather the Lakers’ late charge.
What remains a question, is consistency across longer stretches. The Clippers have shown they can string wins together, but they have to keep doing it against top-level defenses and in the West’s crowded playoff picture.
Lakers
For the Lakers, the game felt familiar, and not in a good way. They showed fight, and their late rally reminded observers that the roster has the talent to erase large deficits, but the game also exposed persistent issues: sluggish starts, difficulty cleaning the defensive glass early, and a reliance on late bursts rather than even play for 48 minutes. Coach JJ Redick’s insistence on better ball movement and trust among scorers will be heard again in practice, because this team, with its star power, cannot be content with comeback-only victories.
Injury and load management have also been part of the discussion. Austin Reaves was sidelined with a calf strain in this game, while Kawhi Leonard played through a left knee contusion for the Clippers. Managing minutes and health will be central to both teams’ short term plans.
The rivalry and the bigger picture
The Lakers and Clippers now meet in a rivalry that is as much about city identity and market share as it is about wins and losses. The Battle of L.A., once a novelty because the Clippers spent decades in the NBA’s shadow, has matured into a matchup with real implications for playoff seeding and local bragging rights. Historically, the Lakers own the overall series, but the Clippers have shown, at times, that they can dominate on the court and in roster construction.
This season both franchises have had moments of optimism and concern. The Lakers sit well inside the Western Conference picture, but their spot is not unassailable. The Clippers, after pockets of struggle, have found a formula that works when their core stays healthy and engaged.
Coaching, strategy and areas to watch
- Defense in the first half, for the Lakers, is a clear area for improvement; slow starts give opponents too large a margin to erase.
- The Clippers will keep leaning on Zubac in the paint and Harden as a primary creator, while asking Leonard to conserve energy for late-game defense and scoring.
- Role players and bench production will decide tight games in the West; whoever finds dependable depth wins more nights than not.
What’s next on the calendar
The Lakers were scheduled to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 24, 2026, a quick turnaround that tests travel routines and conditioning. For the Clippers, the schedule provided a chance to host another opponent and extend the momentum. Those next matchups are immediate barometers for whether Thursday’s result was a turning point, or just another episode in a long season.
Multiple viewpoints
- From the Clippers’ perspective, the game was validation, proof that their blend of veterans and role players can deliver in tense moments.
- From the Lakers’ camp, the loss is a warning sign, that talent alone will not paper over early-game lapses and rebounding deficits.
- Neutral analysts see a deeper narrative, one about roster construction across the league, and how load management, midseason trades and draft development define who will be ready in April and May.
Key takeaways
- Clippers win 112-104, led by Kawhi Leonard and a rugged Zubac presence.
- The Lakers fought back, but early deficits and second-chance points decided the outcome.
- Health, rotations and consistent ball movement will shape both teams’ fortunes down the stretch.
The Battle of L.A. remains must-watch television for fans, and an important measuring stick for two franchises with very different recent histories but equally high expectations. Both clubs have the personnel to make noise in the playoffs, but results like Jan. 22, 2026 remind us that in the NBA, execution every night matters as much as star names.