Mon Mar 03 04:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Lakers Extend Winning Streak to Five with Thrilling Victory Over Clippers

**Los Angeles, CA** – Luka Dončić poured in 31 points, nearly matching his career high with the Lakers, leading the team to a hard-fought 106-102 victory over their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Friday night. This win marks the Lakers’ fifth consecutive victory, extending their dominant run against the Clippers to five games.

Dončić, acquired in a blockbuster trade, continued his strong performance against the Clippers, a familiar playoff opponent from his Dallas Mavericks days. While his shooting percentage wasn’t above .500 (9-of-22 from the field), his scoring prowess, coupled with five assists and three steals, proved crucial in securing the win. LeBron James also contributed significantly, adding 28 points and 13 rebounds.

The Lakers, now 37-21, remain hot on the heels of the Denver Nuggets for the top spot in the Western Conference, sitting just one game behind. Their recent form is undeniable, having won 15 of their last 18 games.

The victory came at a cost, however. Austin Reaves, a key contributor who has emerged as a third star alongside Dončić and James, left the game early with right calf soreness and will undergo an MRI. The Lakers were also without starter Rui Hachimura due to a knee injury. Coach JJ Redick stated that Reaves’s removal was a precaution, while Hachimura’s patellar tendinopathy will be reevaluated in a week.

Despite the injuries and the Clippers’ strong defensive reputation (second in the NBA), the Lakers’ potent offensive duo proved too much to handle. The win underscores the Lakers’ championship aspirations and the growing dominance of their newly formed “Big Three.”

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