California (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lakers star Luka Doncic exited after halftime against the Los Angeles Clippers with a left leg contusion, finishing with 12 points in 19 minutes.
As reported by AP News, Luka Dončić was injured and did not return after halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, December 20.
What happened to Luka Doncic during the match against the Clippers?
The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that NBA scoring leader Luka Dončić, averaging 35.2 points per game, was diagnosed with a left leg contusion, with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander next at 32.5.
Coach JJ Redick reported seeing Doncic limp in the second quarter during the Lakers’ 108-88 loss, noting he had no additional update, saying,
“I noticed him limping in the second quarter.”
In 19 minutes during the first half, Doncic scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds, and added two assists as the Lakers fell behind 54-39. He missed his first six shots and picked up a technical foul.
LeBron James commented after the game,
“The worst thing about sports is injuries. Not just basketball, but sports in general. Whoever is in uniform, we have to go out and execute at the utmost pace that we can. Then on the other end, we got to defend.”
James had not spoken with Doncic but noted that the Slovenian player appeared to be limping. The Lakers faced an even thinner roster due to Dončić’s absence.
The Lakers’ Rui Hachimura missed his first start of the season with a groin injury from Thursday’s game. He averages 13.3 points and is expected to be sidelined 3 to 5 days.
When did the Lakers-Clippers basketball match take place?
The basketball game took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 103-88.
The Clippers, who had dropped their previous five games, maintained the lead for the entire matchup, holding a 15-point advantage at halftime (54-39). The Lakers were already missing starters Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura when Dončić exited with a left leg contusion.
The short-handed Lakers made a late push in the fourth quarter, reducing the gap to seven points, but back-to-back three-pointers by John Collins and James Harden sealed the victory for the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with a season-high 32 points, while LeBron James paced the Lakers with 36. The Clippers dominated from three-point range, making 16 shots compared to the Lakers’ six.
What are the Lakers and LA Clippers’ match player stats?
Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James: 36 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 15/28 FG, 3/7 3PT, 37 min
- Luka Dončić: 12 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 4/13 FG, 1/6 3PT, 19 min
- J. LaRavia: 12 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast, 5/11 FG, 0/4 3PT, 37 min
- J. Hayes: 8 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 3/4 FG, 0/0 3PT, 30 min
- M. Smart: 5 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1/12 FG, 0/9 3PT, 30 min
- Other contributors: N. Smith Jr. – 9 pts; J. Vanderbilt – 4 pts
LA Clippers
- Kawhi Leonard: 32 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 8/17 FG, 4/8 3PT, 37 min
- James Harden: 21 pts, 4 reb, 10 ast, 5/22 FG, 4/10 3PT, 39 min
- John Collins: 17 pts, 12 reb
- Norman Powell: 22 pts off the bench
