Commemorating a birthday with a win is great, but how about marking your special day with a stellar performance, scoring 31 points in that victory? That’s exactly what Luka Doncic accomplished last night as he propelled the Lakers past the Clippers.
In a critical role during the 106-102 triumph that clinched the Los Angeles derby and marked the franchise’s fifth consecutive win on his 26th birthday, the Slovenian sensation was the top scorer for his team, shooting 9 out of 22 from the field and an impressive 10 out of 11 from the charity stripe.
“Since I returned to play, they’ve allowed me to just be myself. I still have a long way to go, but I’m gradually starting to feel more like my usual self,” Doncic remarked in the post-game press conference.
He had support from LeBron James, who also made a significant impact with a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers needed strong contributions from their roster, and their two star players rose to the occasion to secure the victory.
On the Clippers’ side, Ivica Zubac delivered a noteworthy double-double with 27 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing an impressive shooting performance of 13 out of 15 from the floor, alongside 1 out of 2 from the line.
From the bench, Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 6 points in the losing effort for his team.
In other games, the Detroit Pistons fell to the Denver Nuggets, 119-134; the Atlanta Hawks lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-135; the Boston Celtics were edged by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 116-123; the Brooklyn Nets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 102-121; the Miami Heat fell to the Indiana Pacers, 120-125; the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Toronto Raptors in overtime, 125-115; the Memphis Grizzlies lost a close one to the New York Knicks, 113-114; the Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 125-108; the Utah Jazz narrowly beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-116; and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-102.
*PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images*
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