Lakers lose Luka Doncic to injury, then fall to Clippers despite LeBron's 36 points

Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times on Dec 21, 2025

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When Luka Doncic sustained a left leg contusion and sat out the entire second half Saturday against the Clippers, he became the latest in a growing list of ailing Lakers players.

Doncic became the fourth injured Lakers starter in a 103-88 defeat to the struggling Clippers at Intuit Dome.

Doncic played 19 minutes in the first half, but he didn’t return for the third quarter. He had 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in the first half.

But Doncic had struggled with his shooting, going four for 13 from the field and one for six from three-point range.

Doncic entered the game as the leading scorer in the NBA, averaging 35.2 points per game, and was third in assists, averaging 9.1.

Rui Hachimura missed his first start of the season because of a sore groin that is expected to keep him out three to five days. Austin Reaves (left calf) and Deandre Ayton (left elbow) and Gabe Vincent (lower back tightness) also are out.

The Clippers also lost a key player Saturday when center Ivica Zubac sustained a left ankle injury in the first quarter.

The Clippers entered the game tied for the worst record in the Western Conference (6-21). They had lost five straight games and 10 of their last 11.

They got it by building a 22-point lead over the Lakers, who cut their deficit to seven points in the fourth quarter before fading.

LeBron James led the Lakers with a season-high 36 points. Jake LaRavia had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Kawhi Leonard had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Clippers and James Harden had 21 points and 10 assists.

Before the game Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked how he’s dealing with a depleted roster.

“Just manage the game and play with the right spirit,” Redick said.

Redick said Hachimura sat out after he felt some hip pain against Utah on Thursday night. Reaves was “continuing to push himself” to return soon, Redick said, and Ayton had some “swelling” in his elbow but had a “brisk, intense individual workout.”

Through it all, Redick said it’s possible Reaves and Ayton could return Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

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