Clippers Survive Lakers Rally In Rivals Week Thriller

The Los Angeles rivalry delivered another dramatic chapter on January 22, 2026, as the Clippers held off a furious Lakers rally to claim a 112-104 victory at the Intuit Dome. The matchup, part of the NBA’s much-hyped ‘Rivals Week,’ had all the ingredients of a classic: high stakes, star power, and a rollercoaster of momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

The Clippers, riding a hot streak with 14 wins in their last 17 games, looked set to blow the Lakers out of the water early. By late in the third quarter, Tyronn Lue’s squad had surged to a commanding 26-point lead, their offense humming and their defense stifling the Lakers. Kawhi Leonard, returning to the lineup after missing three games due to knee irritation, wasted no time making his presence felt. He poured in 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting—including a trio of three-pointers—while extending his career-best streak to 23 consecutive games with at least 20 points.

“I thought he looked good. I thought he looked really good, especially to start the game in that first quarter,” Lue said of Leonard. “He had good pop and then he could have gotten a little tired. He hasn’t played in a while, but that first quarter was really good.” Leonard himself echoed the sentiment, saying, “I was able to get out there and play. The game was good. It was basketball, same thing. Go out there and play. And when you’re out there, try to make plays, be aggressive.”

Ivica Zubac, the Clippers’ imposing center and a former Laker, was a wrecking ball inside. He finished with 18 points and a monster 19 rebounds—10 of those coming on the offensive glass—repeatedly punishing the Lakers for their lack of physicality in the paint. James Harden chipped in with 18 points and 10 assists, helping the Clippers overcome a rash of turnovers that nearly cost them the game.

Indeed, the Clippers’ Achilles’ heel was their carelessness with the ball. They coughed up 20 turnovers, six of which came during a frantic fourth quarter. “We got to do a better job of taking care of the basketball,” Lue admitted postgame. “We knew they’re going to junk the game up. They got down 26 and started blitzing and firing and we prepared for it. We just didn’t handle it well. But our guys just stayed the course and found a way to win the game.”

For the Lakers, the night was a tale of two halves. After shooting just 42.9% from the field in the first half and falling behind 64-47 at halftime, they roared back in the second. Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ Slovenian superstar and the driving force behind their offense, played a marathon 39 minutes and 13 seconds. He racked up a game-high 32 points on 11-of-27 shooting, pulled down 11 rebounds, dished out eight assists, and swiped three steals. “We just got to be better in the first half,” Doncic said in the postgame press conference. “In the last two games, I think we played better in the second half. We just have to translate that into the first half.”

Coach JJ Redick echoed Doncic’s assessment, emphasizing the need for better execution and trust among his players. “Just a poor job. Just defensive coverage execution, and then just did not trust each other enough. Not enough passing, but that was a lot in the game,” Redick explained. He further elaborated, “There’s got to be a trust factor with all of our guys. Trust the pass. It starts with Luka. He’s going to have the ball the most of everyone. He’s got to trust the pass. He gets two on him, he’s playing a crowd, he has to pass the ball.”

The Lakers’ comeback was sparked by a relentless defensive effort and timely buckets from their supporting cast. Marcus Smart hit a pair of crucial jumpers and a free throw to trim the deficit, while LeBron James—who finished with 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists—provided his trademark poise under pressure. Rui Hachimura added 12 points off the bench, and Jarred Vanderbilt’s energy on defense netted him four steals and a spot on the floor for nearly the entire fourth quarter.

With just under six minutes left, Doncic capped a 19-7 Lakers run with a three-pointer to make it 93-91. The Intuit Dome crowd buzzed as the Lakers threatened to complete an improbable comeback. But the Clippers responded with a decisive 10-0 run, fueled by Zubac’s dominance inside and a clutch three-pointer from John Collins. Tempers flared during a brief skirmish between Zubac and Vanderbilt near the Clippers’ bench, but the hosts kept their composure down the stretch.

The Lakers made one last push, cutting the lead to 105-102 with 1:28 remaining, but Zubac’s reverse dunk and a pair of Harden free throws sealed the deal for the Clippers. The loss dropped the Lakers to 26-17, sliding them to sixth in the Western Conference, while the Clippers improved to 20-24 and continued their climb into Play-In territory.

Player grades for the Lakers reflected the night’s mixed fortunes. Smart earned a B for his clutch shooting and defense on James Harden, while Deandre Ayton struggled mightily against Zubac, finishing with just four points and five rebounds—a performance that drew a D grade. Jake LaRavia contributed defensively with three steals and four blocks, but his offensive impact was limited. Hachimura’s spark off the bench and Vanderbilt’s defensive hustle were bright spots, but ultimately, the Lakers’ poor first half and inability to match the Clippers’ energy on the boards proved costly.

For the Clippers, the win was a testament to resilience and depth. Seven players scored in double figures, and Leonard’s return injected fresh life into the lineup. “Whatever it takes to win, that’s the mindset for me,” Leonard said, summing up the Clippers’ approach as they continue to chase a postseason berth.

The next chapter in this storied rivalry is sure to be just as electric, with both teams hungry for redemption and momentum as the playoff race heats up. For now, the Clippers walk away with city bragging rights, while the Lakers are left to regroup and address their first-half woes before their next challenge.