Lakers rally from 21-point deficit to win 116-112 over Clippers

LeBron James showcased his brilliance in a stunning comeback for the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis contributed with 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Lakers rallied from a 21-point deficit to secure a remarkable 116-112 victory over the undermanned Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

D’Angelo Russell tallied 18 points, while Rui Hachimura added 17, guiding the Lakers to their third win in four games against the Clippers and clinching the season series for the first time since 2011-12. This victory marked a significant turnaround as the Clippers had previously won 11 consecutive meetings.

LeBron James exhibited his scoring prowess in the final quarter, shooting 7 of 12 from the floor, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. With a stellar performance, James outscored the Clippers by three points in the crucial period.

The game held special significance as it marked the final regular-season matchup between the Lakers and the Clippers as co-tenants of Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as Staples Center. The Clippers are poised to move to the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, next season.

Despite a strong showing from Kawhi Leonard (26 points) and James Harden (23 points), the Clippers suffered their fifth loss in the last eight games. Paul George (knee) and Ivica Zubac (illness) were notably absent from the Clippers’ lineup for the second consecutive game.

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The Clippers maintained a comfortable lead throughout the third quarter, entering the final period with a 96-77 advantage. However, a resilient Lakers team initiated a remarkable 19-3 run, narrowing the gap to 101-96 with 7:33 remaining on a drive by LeBron James.

In a spectacular turnaround, the Lakers continued their surge, with a James 3-poInter bringing them within 106-104 at the 4:36 mark. Two clutch free throws from Anthony Davis tied the score at 106-106 with four minutes left, and a pivotal 3-poInter from Rui Hachimura propelled the Lakers to a 109-106 lead with 3:10 on the clock.

Hachimura’s contributions were crucial as he capped a 12-0 run with a reverse layup, establishing a 111-106 lead with 2:26 remaining. D’Angelo Russell sealed the comeback with a pivotal 3-pointer, securing a 114-108 advantage with 1:12 left on the clock.

LeBron James’ remarkable fourth-quarter performance, where he scored 19 points, stood as his highest single-period scoring output of the season.