The Clippers survive late run by the Lakers in the fourth quarter to win 112-104

Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C) sky hook shot over the out reach arm of the Los Angeles Lakers #5 Deandre Ayton (C) inside the key at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 January 22, 2026.

INGLEWOOD, CA -The Los Angeles Clippers (20-24), the winners of seven of eight games and 14 of 17, blew a big lead, but held on to outlast their cross-town rival, the Los Angeles Lakers (26-17) at the Intuit Dome 112-104, thanks to six players in double figures.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in scoring with 24 points, James Harden with 18 points and 10 assists, Ivica Zubac also with 18 points, Jordan Miller with 14 points, Kobe Sanders with 11 points, and Brook Lopez with 10 points.

The Clippers made 12 of 31 shots from three-point range, 39%, and were able to get to the free throw line late in the fourth quarter, making 20 of 21,95% were the major factors for the big win against the Lakers, and to continue heading in the right direction to get over 500 .

The game of basketball is a game of runs, and the Lakers did just that, but the Clippers played hard and smart basketball throughout the game.

“It was good, it was basketball,” Leonard said. “Same thing. Go out there and play. When you’re out there, try to make plays, be aggressive.”

Jake LaRavia got off to a quick start with back-to-back three-pointers to give the Lakers a 6-0 lead to start the first quarter. Kawhi Leonard would pull up for a three-point shot to give the Clippers a 12-10 lead.

Los Angeles Lakers #77 Luka Doncic (G) step-back jump shot in front of the Los Angeles Clippers #8 Chris Dunn (G) and #2 Kawhi Leonard (F) on the side of him at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 January 22, 20026.

The Lakers led 14-12 after Doncic pulled up for a step-back jump shot in front of Chris Dunn near the key. Kobe Sanders’ back-to-back three-pointer gave the Clippers a 22-20 lead.

The Clippers led 31-24 with baskets by Jordan Miller and James Harden, forcing the Lakers to call a timeout with 2:20 left in the quarter.

Lopez entered the game in the second quarter with two baskets in the roll to give the Clippers a 40-31 lead. Leonard  would drive to the basket for a layup to give the Clippers a 42-30 lead.

Brook Lopez, deep behind the three-point line above the key, knocked down a three-pointer, giving the Clippers a 47-38 lead.

Leonard pulled up at the free throw line for a jump shot that gave the Clippers a nine-point lead, 49-40, with 7:05 left before halftime.

Los Angeles Clippers #1 James Harden (G) driving pass the Los Angeles Lakers #77 Luka Doncic (G) and #7 Gabe Vincent for a left handed layup at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 January 22, 2026.

The Lakers had to call a timeout after Harden blew by several of their defenders for a left-hand layup, giving the Clippers 57-45 with 2:37 left before halftime. The Clippers led at halftime by fourteen points, 59-45, with a jump shot by Chris Dunn.

The Lakers, with 8:20 in the third quarter, had to call a timeout after Leonard knocked down a three-pointer to give the Clippers a 72-49 lead.

The Lakers forced the Clippers to call a timeout at 4:10 after a dunk by Rui Hachimura had them trailing by twenty-one points, 79-58.

The Clippers this season were known for blowing leads, and tonight against the Lakers, here they come. The Lakers would end the third quarter trailing 86-72, after going on a 14-7 run to close out the quarter.

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (F) pulling up for a jump shot below the free throw line inside the key while the Los Angeles Clippers #1 James Harden (G) and #40 Ivica Zubac (C) are looking on at the Intuit Dome. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 January 22, 2026.

James had the Lakers trailing 93-85 in the fourth quarter when he pulled up for a jump shot below the free throw line. The Lakers’ defense continued to tighten up on the Clippers, now trailing by two points, 93-91, with a fade-away three-pointer by Doncic with 5:56 left in the game.

The Clippers gained a little breathing room, now leading 98-91 thanks to a three-point shot by Harden, and moments later a driving layup by John Hollins.

The Lakers, with 1:55 still left on the clock, were still in striking range, trailed 103-99 after Jarred Vanderbilt went up for a monster dunk.

Zuback with a pair of free throws and a reverse dunk, Collins with another three-point shot, and Harden with two free throws closed out the Lakers 112-104 to take a 2-1 lead in their cross-town series.

Doncic led the Lakers in scoring with 32 points and 11 rebounds, and James had 23 points, Hachiimura had 12 points, and Marcus Smart had 10 points. The Clippers' next game will be at home on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets at 6pm.