Lakers finally take the boot off their necks and beat the Clippers for the first time since 2020

Austin Reaves scored seven points in overtime and The Los Angeles Lakers finally won a game against the Clippers, 130-125 Wednesday night to snap an 11-game losing streak against their crosstown neighbors.

July 30, 2020 had been the last time the Lakers beat the Clippers. And the last time they did it in their downtown Los Angeles arena, then called Staples Center, was on March 8, 2020. Despite their marked historical differences within the NBA, this rivalry was red and blue in the last three seasonsin which the Clippers always took the season series clean.

But this Wednesday at the Cryto.com Arena, The Lakers took advantage of the fact that the Clippers lost Paul George early in overtime due to fouls after a disputed foul marked after slight contact on LeBron James’ arm. The marking prevailed after the challenge.

Still, the Clippers – who overcame a nine-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation – got within one point with 59 seconds left in overtime after a basket by Kawhi Leonard. Later, with the Lakers up by three and the ball in his possession, Christian Wood rebounded the ball after a missed shot by Cam Reddish with only 9 seconds left. And so the story was written.

Leonard scored 38 points and George 35, while Russell Westbrook added 24, but in the final stretch of the game he suffered multiple slips and turnovers. It is worth mentioning that James Harden, acquired by the team this week, has not yet debuted and watched the game from the bench.

For the Lakers, LeBron James gave a spectacular performance in this initial part of his 21st season in the NBA: 35 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell each scored 27 and Austin Reaves finished with 15. James brought the fans to their feet during the fifth quarter by completing a fast break with a towering dunk after Reaves’ pass.

At the end of the great Los Angeles duel, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard hugged and the Clippers star secretly said something to James that caused a laugh mutual. But the rivalry will increase as the campaign progresses, the last in which they will share a house, as the Clippers are finishing the construction of their new home in Inglewood.

Both teams leave their record at 3-2.

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