Luka Doncic-less Lakers get back on track with win over Clippers

JJ Redick has foreshadowed a night like Wednesday evening.

When the Lakers would need to play or rely on players they normally don’t, for whatever the circumstances it may be for that given game.

And against the Clippers, which was the second night of the back-to-back set after Tuesday’s home loss to the Trail Blazers, the circumstances were being without superstar guard Luka Doncic (back tightness) and Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness).

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Despite being without their best player and one of their starting wings, the Lakers got back on track after their first loss of the season, beating the Clippers 103-87.

Collin Sexton defends Cam Christie during the first half of the Lakers’ 103-85 win over the Clippers on Oct. 28, 2026 in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

With Doncic sidelined, a significant amount of attention turned to Austin Reaves, the Laker’s second-best player who has gotten off to a career-best start to the season.

The sixth-year guard has shown several times what he’s capable of doing when he’s the lone star in the lineup, recording box score numbers that rival All-NBA guards.

Clippers coach Ty Lue acknowledged the threat Reaves poses.

“He can beat you by himself. … He’s elite,” Lue said.

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And the Clippers treated Reaves as such, using aggressive defensive coverages to disrupt a rhythm that’s been challenging for opponents to slow down since the start of the season.

Reaves finished with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting to go with eight turnovers, ending his streak of 23-plus-point games while shooting at least 54% from the field in four games.

But the Lakers didn’t need a nuclear performance from Reaves.

They got Collin Sexton showing off why he’s nicknamed the “Young Bull”, with the veteran guard providing the “insanity”, as Redick put it, on both ends of the floor that the team has come to celebrate.

Brook Lopez tries to make a pass around Jarred Vanderbilt during the first half of the Lakers’ win over the Clippers. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

They got Quentin Grimes, who stepped into the starting lineup for the first time, having his best two-way performance.

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And they…

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Publish date : 2026-10-29 05:27:00

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