The Lakers and the Clippers do not just play basketball. They fight for the city of Los Angeles. Every time these two teams meet, fans expect big plays, close scores, and star power. The most recent battle between them, played on February 20, 2026, gave fans exactly that. In this article, we will look at the full player stats from that game, break down what happened on the court, and explain why this matchup matters so much to basketball fans.
A Quick Look at the Game
On Friday night, February 20, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 125-122 at Crypto.com Arena. This was not an easy win. The Lakers built a 15-point lead in the second half, but the Clippers fought back hard. In the end, Luka Doncic and the Lakers held on for the win.
This game was special for another reason too. It was one of the rare times this season that the Lakers had their three biggest stars on the court together: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. Because of injuries and rest days, this trio had only played together 11 times in the Lakers’ first 55 games of the season. When they are all healthy, the offense looks very different, and this game proved it.
With this win, the Lakers split the four-game season series with their crosstown rivals. The Clippers moved to 27-29 for the season. That record might not look amazing, but it was actually a huge turnaround. The Clippers had started the season with a rough 6-21 record, so getting close to .500 was a big step forward for the team.
Player Stats: Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic: The Star of the Night
Luka Doncic was the best player on the court. He finished with 38 points, 11 assists, and made 8 three-pointers. That is an incredible shooting night. Doncic had just come back from a hamstring injury that kept him out for four games. He also only played five minutes in the All-Star Game because of that injury. Despite all that, he looked sharp from the very start.
In the first quarter alone, Doncic scored 17 points and hit four three-pointers. During one stretch of the game, the Lakers made 16 of 17 shots, and Doncic was a huge part of that hot streak. When the Clippers made their comeback in the second half, Doncic answered with 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers close out the win.
Austin Reaves: A Strong Second Option
Austin Reaves had a great game too, scoring 29 points. Reaves has become a key player for the Lakers this season. He plays well next to Doncic and James, and this game showed why the team needs him on the court. His scoring in the second half helped stop the Clippers from taking the lead.
LeBron James: Quiet Scoring, Big Playmaking
LeBron James did not score a lot of points in this game. He finished with 13 points, but he also had 11 assists. Interestingly, James only scored 2 points in the entire second half. Even without big scoring numbers, his passing and experience helped the Lakers control the pace of the game, especially early on.
Player Stats: Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard: A Big Effort Cut Short
Kawhi Leonard was outstanding for the Clippers. He scored 31 points, including a huge 19-point second quarter. Leonard only had one basket in the first quarter, but he came alive after that. Sadly, his night ended early. He left the game with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter after what looked like an ankle injury. Losing Leonard late in the game made it harder for the Clippers to finish their comeback.
Bennedict Mathurin: A New Player Making an Impact
Bennedict Mathurin had a strong game as well, with 26 points and 7 rebounds. This was his second great performance in a row after joining the Clippers in a trade that sent center Ivica Zubac to Indiana. The night before this game, Mathurin scored 38 points against Denver, which tied his career high. Against the Lakers, he kept up his hot streak, but he fouled out with 1:49 left in the game, which hurt the Clippers’ chances late.
John Collins: An Unlucky Injury
John Collins also had a rough night. Late in the second quarter, he was hurt on a hard landing while trying to catch a pass near the rim. He bled from his face and had to be helped off the court. This injury was another blow for the Clippers during a game where they were already fighting an uphill battle.
Team Stats Summary
| Team | Final Score | Top Scorer | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 125 | Luka Doncic (38 pts) | 8 three-pointers made by Doncic |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 122 | Kawhi Leonard (31 pts) | Blew a 15-point deficit down to 3 |
Why This Rivalry Matters
The Lakers and the Clippers share the same city, and for many years, they even shared the same arena. Before the Clippers moved to their new home, Intuit Dome, in 2024, both teams played their home games at what is now called Crypto.com Arena. Fans used to call their matchups the “Hallway Series” because both locker rooms were so close to each other.
Looking at the full history, the Lakers lead the all-time series by a wide margin. Through this Feb 20, 2026 meeting, the Lakers held a 158-89 edge in the regular season series between the two teams. Still, the Clippers have had their moments, including a famous playoff comeback in 2006 when the Lakers lost a 3-1 series lead.
Games like this one remind fans why the rivalry stays exciting even in the regular season. Both teams have stars who can take over a game, and both fan bases care deeply about beating the other side.
What This Game Means Going Forward
For the Lakers, this win showed what the team can look like when their top three players are healthy at the same time. Doncic, James, and Reaves each brought something different: scoring, playmaking, and steady offense. If the Lakers can keep this trio on the court more often, they will be tough to beat.
For the Clippers, the game was bittersweet. They showed real fight by almost erasing a 15-point deficit, and Mathurin’s strong start with the team is a good sign for their future. But losing Leonard to injury late in the game, along with the Collins injury earlier, showed how much bad luck with health has hurt this team all season.
Final Thoughts
This Lakers vs Clippers game had everything fans want: big scoring runs, a hard-fought comeback, star performances, and a close final score. Luka Doncic’s 38-point night stood out as the biggest reason for the Lakers win, but almost every player on the court made a mark on the game in some way. As the season goes on, both LA teams will keep pushing to improve, and their next meeting is already something fans are looking forward to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last Lakers vs Clippers game?
The Los Angeles Lakers won the last matchup 125-122 on February 20, 2026. Luka Doncic led all scorers with 38 points.
Who had the best stats in the Lakers vs Clippers game?
Luka Doncic had the best overall stat line, with 38 points, 11 assists, and 8 three-pointers made. Kawhi Leonard was close behind with 31 points for the Clippers.
Did any players get hurt during the game?
Yes. Kawhi Leonard left the game late in the fourth quarter with an apparent ankle injury. Clippers forward John Collins also left the game in the second quarter after a hard fall near the rim.
