The Los Angeles Lakers beat the LA Clippers 103-87 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Wednesday 28 October 2026, winning the second game of a back-to-back without star guard Luka Doncic to improve to 4-1 for the season. The Clippers fell to 1-3 with a third consecutive defeat.

Defence turns the game in the second quarter

Doncic sat out with back tightness and Ziaire Williams missed the game with a sore left foot, both described by coach JJ Redick as precautionary. Without Doncic, who had been averaging a league-leading 36 points, the Lakers still had six players reach double figures.

Grimes and Sexton lead the way

The Clippers led 19-14 early before the Lakers closed the first quarter ahead 25-22. The second quarter decided it: Los Angeles outscored the Clippers 31-16 to take a 56-38 half-time lead. The Lakers' defence was the story. They forced 24 Clippers turnovers and scored 31 points from them, recording 15 steals and 17 offensive rebounds.

What comes next

The Clippers briefly rallied in the third quarter, cutting an 18-point deficit to seven, but the Lakers answered with a closing run in the period — Collin Sexton scoring 11 straight points at one stage — to lead 85-65 going into the fourth. Quentin Grimes led the Lakers with 23 points, five assists and four steals, while Collin Sexton added a season-high 21 points off the bench. Austin Reaves scored 16 and Matisse Thybulle added 15, including four three-pointers. Rookie Keaton Wagler led the Clippers with a career-high 21 points off the bench. The Lakers next visit Golden State on Friday to open NBA Cup group play, while the Clippers visit Minnesota the same night.

Sources: Associated Press via TSN, Lakers Nation.