{
  "id": 17012355,
  "title": "No Luka Doncic, no problem: The Lakers rout the Clippers 103-97",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/no-luka-doncic-no-problem-the-lakers-rout-the-clippers-103-97",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-29T05:08:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/no-luka-doncic-no-problem-050809622.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a hard-fought matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 103-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers without their star player, Luka Doncic. The absence of Doncic, who was sidelined due to back tightness from the previous night's game, allowed the Lakers to rely on six players scoring in double digits. Collin Sexton delivered a season-high 21 points off the bench to boost the Lakers' offensive output. Quentin Grimes contributed 23 points, while Austin Reaves and Matisse Thybulle each scored 15 points. Austin Reaves led the scoring chart with 16 points for the Lakers, while rookie Keaton Wagler had a career-high 21 points off the bench for the Clippers.\n\nThe Clippers, missing starting forward Rui Hachimura due to left quad tightness, struggled with ball control, committing 24 turnovers. They had 26 turnovers in their first two losses to the Lakers and the Thunder. Despite a brief rally in the third quarter, the Clippers could not overcome the Lakers' 27-15 surge, which pushed the Lakers' lead to 85-65. Reaves, in particular, demonstrated his scoring prowess with a span of 11 consecutive points, including two back-to-back 3-pointers, as the Lakers took a 56-38 halftime lead.\n\nThe Lakers' victory sets up a Friday night showdown against the Golden State Warriors as they prepare to kick off NBA Cup group play. The Clippers, meanwhile, will begin their NBA Cup campaign with a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.",
  "summary": "(AP) — Quentin Grimes scored 23 points, Collin Sexton added a season-high 21 points off the bench, and the Los Angeles Lakers — without Luka Doncic — beat the Los Angeles Clippers 103-87 on Wednesday night for the second time in a week.Doncic sat out with back tightness from the second game of the team’s first back-to-back of the season.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lakers defeat Clippers 103-97 without Luka Doncic",
    "Collin Sexton scores 21 points off the bench",
    "Clippers commit 24 turnovers, lose 3rd straight to Lakers"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Lakers' ability to win through balanced scoring despite missing a star player highlights a growing depth that exploits the Clippers' persistent struggle with ball control and turnovers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}