Lakers Defeat Clippers 103-87 Without Luka Doncic Behind Collin Sexton And Quentin Grimes

Playing the second night of a back-to-back set without their leading scorer, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 103-87 on Wednesday evening at the Intuit Dome. The victory marked the Lakers’ fourth win in five games and their second derby success of the season.

Back-to-Back Adjustments and Roster Shortages

The Lakers entered the contest on the second night of a back-to-back set following a home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Head coach JJ Redick had previously foreshadowed a scenario where the team would need to lean heavily on rotational depth. That reality arrived quickly when Luka Doncic was sidelined due to back tightness, accompanied by Ziaire Williams, who sat out with left foot soreness. The Clippers faced their own personnel challenges, playing without Rui Hachimura, Brandon Ingram, and Bradley Beal.

Early Momentum Shifts and Second-Quarter Separation

With Doncic out of uniform, Matisse Thybulle immediately set the tone for the visitors by scoring the game’s first six points. The Clippers struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, committing multiple turnovers that fueled Laker transition opportunities. After a timeout by Tyronn Lue, the Clippers engineered a 7-0 run to claim a brief 14-12 advantage. However, the Lakers closed the opening period ahead 25-22 behind strong minutes from Collin Sexton and defensive pressure from Quentin Grimes. In the second quarter, the Clippers endured a scoring drought lasting more than three minutes. Austin Reaves returned to the floor to steady the Lakers, while Sandro Mamukelashvili contributed a key block against Derrick Jones Jr. A decisive 16-0 run before halftime propelled the Lakers to a comfortable 56-38 advantage at the break.

Collin Sexton on Luka Doncic:"I've been on the other side when he can't miss, and it's definitely good to be on this side."

— https://x.com/LakersNation/status/2114513032386843129

Third-Quarter Resurgence and Sexton’s Scoring Burst

Trailing by 18 points at halftime, the Clippers emerged from the locker room with renewed aggression. They opened the third period with a 12-2 surge to narrow the deficit to seven points, prompting a quick timeout from Redick. Shortly after, Darius Garland connected with Isaiah Jackson for a high-flying alley-oop dunk over a late-rotating Walker Kessler. The spectacular sequence failed to derail the Lakers, who quickly reestablished control. Quentin Grimes attacked the paint with consistency, and Collin Sexton took over late in the quarter, scoring 11 points—including two 3-pointers—to stretch the lead. Despite a buzzer-beating shot from midcourt by rookie Keaton Wagler, the Lakers carried an 85-66 cushion into the final frame.

Turnover Struggles and Standout Performances

Ball security proved decisive for the second meeting between the cross-town rivals. Following a 26-turnover night in their previous matchup, the Clippers committed 24 turnovers on Wednesday, which the Lakers routinely converted into fast-break points. Darius Garland endured another difficult defensive night, registering five turnovers after giving up nine in the first derby. Offensively, Keaton Wagler led the Clippers with 21 points, establishing a new career high largely through 10-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line, though he struggled from the field overall with a 4-of-15 mark. For the Lakers, Quentin Grimes posted a season-high 23 points along with five assists and four steals. Collin Sexton added 21 points off the bench on 6-of-11 shooting in 21 minutes, while Matisse Thybulle finished with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including four triples. Austin Reaves contributed 16 points and eight turnovers against aggressive trapping coverages, and veteran Jarred Vanderbilt made his season debut, finishing with a plus/minus of plus-22 in 21 minutes.

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Standings and Upcoming Schedule

The victory improves the Lakers’ early-season record, while the Clippers fell to 1-3 following their third loss. Both teams return to action in the coming days as the NBA regular season schedule continues.