The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the LA Clippers 135-118 on Tuesday night behind a monster 43-point double-double from Luka Doncic to advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. It is not the championship fans want, but the Lakers are an early favorite to win this tournament for the second time in three years. Number 77 made sure the result of Friday’s game doesn’t matter. He was on fire from the opening tip and absolutely buried the Clippers.
Doncic is leading the NBA in scoring and has been at the top of his game. Fans know he got in the best shape of his life this offseason, and it has shown. He had 24 points in the first quarter and 32 by halftime. Luka is one of only three players averaging over 32 points per game this season. The Lakers superstar had it in the first half against the Clippers, and he was far from done.
Doncic has not forgotten that Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers ended his first two trips to the playoffs. He was certainly locked in on Tuesday night. Doncic made his teammates some money and made sure their championship hopes stayed alive.
Luka Doncic went nuclear against the Clippers
The Don made his first five 3-pointers to quiet the noise about his shooting. Yes, the superstar was struggling from outside the arc to start the season, but fans knew it wouldn’t last. Doncic was unstoppable from everywhere else, and now his 3-point stroke is being dialed in.
5/5 from three-point land for Luka Dončić 🤯
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 26, 2025
(It's the first quarter) pic.twitter.com/GkFdyYN6wZ
Luka Doncic finished with 43 points, 13 assists, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block in 38 minutes against the Clippers. He made 14 of his 28 field goals, including seven 3-pointers. Number 77 did it from everywhere in one of his best games of the season.
The return of LeBron James has made the Lakers impossible to stop. They have multiple star creators and can make any defense pay. Doncic looked like the best player on the planet against the Clippers, but LeBron and Austin Reaves can go nuclear if Los Angeles needs it.
Advancing to the NBA Cup quarterfinals ensured the Lakers players will get at least $53,093 in prize money. The champions each earn $530,933. Lakers fans know Luka and LeBron would love to win this title to get the paycheck and hang another banner.
Doncic has made it clear he wants to win championships in LA. He wasn’t talking about NBA Cup titles, but it is a start.
Luka Doncic on bringing a championship to LA 🏆👀
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 26, 2025
“Kobe brought so many championships here. LeBron brought a championship here. So I want to be the next one to do that, for sure. I met Kobe, I’m playing with LeBron, just as a little kid in Slovenia, I just wanted to play… pic.twitter.com/J6yO1aUQQJ
There were plenty of defensive issues in the first half on both sides in the battle for LA, but the Lakers locked in to get the win. They have now won five straight games and are undefeated in NBA Cup group play.
Things will get more difficult in the NBA Cup for the Lakers. Their group consisted of the Clippers, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and Mavericks. All four teams are struggling to begin this season, but more formidable foes await in the knockout stage. The Lakers finish group play on Friday night against the Mavericks. Fans know Doncic will again be locked in for that one.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one step closer to winning the NBA Cup, but that is not the championship fans are after. Can Luka Doncic bring them an 18th NBA championship? That is the plan. Winning this is a nice first step. Expect the Lakers to stay locked in as they chase this title and the ultimate goal this season.