The Los Angeles Clippers, mired in a deep slump, found a lifeline in their superstar and long-range shooting to overpower their city rivals. In a crucial Saturday night showdown (Sunday, December 21, 2025, Philippine time), the Clippers defeated the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 103-88, finally snapping a painful five-game losing streak.
Clippers Dominate with Three-Point Barrage
The key to the Clippers' much-needed victory was their performance from beyond the arc. The team connected on 16 three-pointers out of 43 attempts, a stark contrast to the Lakers' icy cold shooting. Kawhi Leonard was the catalyst, pouring in a season-high 32 points and knocking down four triples. He received strong support from James Harden, who tallied 21 points and 10 assists, and John Collins, who contributed a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Lakers' woes were compounded by the loss of their leading scorer, Luka Doncic, who exited at halftime with a lower leg contusion. Before his injury, Doncic managed only 12 points in 19 minutes. In his absence, a 41-year-old LeBron James carried the load, scoring a season-high 36 points for the Lakers. However, the team's collective shooting was disastrous, missing a staggering 32 three-point attempts.
Warriors Survive Suns' Scare Behind Curry
In another Pacific Division thriller, the Golden State Warriors ended their own three-game slide with a narrow 119-116 win over the Phoenix Suns. Stephen Curry was magnificent down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. He was a model of efficiency, hitting 5 of his 6 shots in the final period and finishing with 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Suns, led by Devin Booker's 38-point outburst, fought until the final seconds. Phoenix cut the Warriors' lead to just two points with 1:10 remaining after a Jordan Goodwin three-pointer. Jimmy Butler (25 points) and Curry then made clutch plays to seal the victory. The game was not without controversy, as Warriors veteran Draymond Green was ejected in the first half after receiving two quick technical fouls.
Around the League: Other Key Results
The night's action featured several other notable outcomes across the NBA. The Houston Rockets secured a 115-101 win over the Denver Nuggets, while the Boston Celtics handled the Toronto Raptors 112-96. In a high-scoring affair, the Philadelphia 76ers topped the Dallas Mavericks 121-114.
Other final scores included:
- New Orleans Pelicans 128, Indiana Pacers 109
- Detroit Pistons 112, Charlotte Hornets 86
- Washington Wizards 130, Memphis Grizzlies 122
- Orlando Magic 128, Utah Jazz 127 (OT)
- Portland Trail Blazers 98, Sacramento Kings 93
The Clippers' win, while uplifting, came with a cost as center Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle injury in the first quarter. The Lakers also dealt with absences, as Rui Hachimura missed the game with a sore groin and is expected to be sidelined for several days.
