LeBron James showcased his brilliance in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of his 34 points and orchestrating a stunning comeback for the Los Angeles Lakers, overturning a 21-point deficit to secure a thrilling 116-112 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
In the waning moments, Kawhi Leonard’s 12-footer went amiss with just five seconds remaining. Seizing the opportunity, LeBron James executed a precise long pass to Cam Reddish, who emphatically dunked, putting an exclamation mark on the Lakers’ remarkable triumph in the last regular-season face-off between these Los Angeles rivals as co-tenants of their downtown arena.
As the clock ticked down, Kawhi Leonard’s 12-foot shot missed its mark with a mere five seconds on the clock. Capitalizing on the opportunity, LeBron James delivered an accurate long pass to Cam Reddish, who emphatically dunked, adding an exclamation point to the Lakers’ extraordinary victory in the final regular-season clash against their Los Angeles rivals, who shared the downtown arena as co-tenants.
26 points were contributed by Leonard, and James Harden secured 23 points along with nine assists for the Clippers. This marks the first instance of consecutive losses for the team since December 23. The absence of All-Star Paul George, sidelined for his second consecutive game due to a sore left knee, and starting center Ivica Zubac, who was unwell, further challenged the Clippers in the game.
Entering the opening minute of the fourth quarter, the Clippers held a 98-77 lead, but James orchestrated an impressive 29-8 run in a mere 7 minutes and 34 seconds. Anthony Davis’ successful free throws leveled the score at 106-106 with four minutes remaining, and shortly after, James located Rui Hachimura for a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer.
D’Angelo Russell’s 3-pointer gave the Lakers a 114-108 advantage with 1:12 remaining. However, Harden and Leonard responded with successful drives to the hoop, while James missed a couple of shots for the Lakers. Despite Leonard’s final attempt being off the mark, James connected with Reddish for the clincher, much to the joy of the numerous Lakers fans present at what was considered a “road” game.
This victory secured the Lakers winning three out of four matchups against the Clippers this season, marking the first time they have won the season series since 2011-12.
Davis contributed 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Lakers, while Russell recorded 18 points, and Hachimura chipped in with 17.
The Clippers and Lakers relocated to the arena famously recognized as Staples Center, alongside the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, upon its opening in 1999. For the subsequent 25 years, the NBA franchises cohabited, typically engaging in a four-game annual showdown dubbed the Hallway Series. This rivalry earned its name as the locker rooms of both teams are situated approximately 100 feet apart in the same corridor.
The conclusion of an era approaches this fall as the Clippers transition to the Intuit Dome, a luxurious new arena in Inglewood owned by Steve Ballmer. Ballmer, the owner, determined that the Clippers required a distinct home to fully establish their identity, liberating themselves from the shadows of the Lakers’ 17 NBA championships and the corresponding banners adorning the walls of the shared arena. The billionaire swiftly executed the plan to make this vision a reality.
The dominance in Los Angeles remains predominantly in favor of the Lakers, but the Clippers have shown improvement. They have concluded the season with a superior record compared to the Lakers in 10 of the last 11 seasons, with the lone exception being in 2020 when the Lakers secured their 17th title.
While the possibility of a playoff series between the teams exists, it has never come to fruition.
Reddish came back after being sidelined for 14 games due to a sprained right ankle.
The Clippers established a 17-point lead shortly after halftime, capitalizing on the Lakers’ struggles. The Lakers faced difficulties, missing 15 of their initial 18 3-point attempts and managing only two free throws in the first half. Harden showcased his scoring prowess with 18 points in the first half, notably reaffirming his role as a sharpshooter when one of his high-scoring teammates is sidelined due to injury.
