Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James combined for 99 points on Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Clippers, 135-118. With the victory, the Lakers improved to 13-4 on the 2025-26 campaign.
Dončić led the way with 43 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds, while Reaves added 31 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. James contributed 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists to round out the attack.
How Did the Los Angeles Lakers Build This Roster?
Last season, Los Angeles finished with a 50-32 record and secured the third seed in the West. However, following a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the organization decided to retool the supporting cast.
Consequently, they built around core star James, who remains with the team, and newly acquired standout Dončić. The Lakers acquired Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks before the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for Anthony Davis.
After seeing James opt in to his deal and Dončić sign a three-year, $165 million extension, the front office turned its focus to strengthening the rest of the lineup. They upgraded at center by signing former top overall pick DeAndre Ayton to join the frontcourt. Additionally, they brought in a veteran defensive presence in former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and added sharpshooter Jake LaRavia to knock down shots from beyond the arc.
The team has also seen improvement from Reaves, who has joined James and Dončić as a key piece of the rotation. The trio is contributing significant points, assists, and rebounds each game, forming a formidable attack on the court.
MORE: Luka Dončić Made Los Angeles Lakers History Against Clippers
James has played a central role since returning from sciatica issues. After missing the first 14 games, he made his comeback in a 140-126 win over the Utah Jazz last week. The Lakers then faced the Jazz again on Sunday, winning 108-106, before securing their victory over the Clippers.
Offensively, Los Angeles has been consistent. They have scored under 100 points just once this season: a 121-91 loss to Oklahoma City on Nov. 12.
These performances have contributed to a strong start. After opening the year with an 8-4 record, the team now has a second five-game winning streak, giving them a 13-4 record. This ties them with the Denver Nuggets for the second-best mark in the Western Conference.
What Did LeBron James Say About the Offense?
After the victory on Tuesday, James was asked a fascinating question about the team’s firepower. A reporter asked: “If you were trying to guard your team, how do you attack a group that’s so good offensively individually?”
Reporter: “If you were trying to guard your team, how do you attack a group that’s so good offensively individually?”
LeBron: “I don’t have an answer for that. I actually do, but I’m not giving that intel out.” 😅
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 26, 2025
“I don’t have an answer for that,” James responded. “I actually do, but I’m not giving that intel out.”
Naturally, if James knows how to stop this offense, he isn’t going to share those secrets with the rest of the league.
Looking ahead, James, Dončić, Reaves, and the rest of the squad will return to the court on Friday in Los Angeles. Dončić will face his former team, featuring a banged-up Davis. The Lakers-Mavericks game is set to tip off at 10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Prime.