When Luka Dončić stepped onto Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night, November 25, 2025, he didn’t just play basketball—he sent a message. The Los Angeles Lakers demolished the Los Angeles Clippers 135-118 in a high-voltage NBA Cup group play game, and Dončić was the storm at the center. He finished with 43 points, 13 assists, and nine rebounds, shooting 50% from the field and an electric 58.3% from three-point range. He missed a triple-double by one rebound. And he did it while battling a slippery court, a heated confrontation, and the weight of a city’s expectations.
A Performance That Redefined Rivalry
Dončić didn’t just score—he orchestrated. His 7-for-12 shooting from deep included three threes in under 90 seconds during the third quarter, turning a 7-point lead into a 19-point blowout. Austin Reaves added 31 points, and LeBron James chipped in 25, but it was Dončić’s rhythm that dictated the pace. He moved like a conductor, drawing double teams and finding cutters with pinpoint passes. The Lakers shot 57% from the field—their highest in a game this season—and held the Clippers to just 41% after halftime.But the game wasn’t just about stats. It was about tension. With 3:33 left and the Lakers up by 22, Kris Dunn of the Clippers shoved Dončić from behind as he set a screen. Dončić spun around, eyes locked, and turned to face him. Dunn, instead of backing down, placed the ball against Dončić’s chest. That’s when Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers’ 7-foot center, stepped in—pushing Dunn away. The refs called two technicals on Dunn, ejecting him. Hayes got one. Dončić calmly sank the resulting free throw. No words were exchanged. Just a nod between teammates.
"It’s Dangerous"
After the game, Dončić didn’t celebrate the win. He talked about the court."It’s just slippery. It’s dangerous. I slipped. I slipped a lot of times and you could see a lot of players slipped. And that’s dangerous, man," he told reporters, his voice tight with frustration. He recalled pregame warmups in Memphis and New Orleans earlier in the NBA Cup—"no issues there." He’d noticed the slickness in LA before tip-off but assumed it was a one-off. He was wrong.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles Lakers organization immediately acknowledged the concern. Team officials confirmed they were working with arena staff to re-clean and re-treat the floor before Friday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. "We’re not taking chances," a source told McMenamin. "If a player gets hurt because of this, it’s on us."
The Trade That Changed Everything
This rivalry isn’t just about the game—it’s personal. Dončić was traded to the Lakers in a seismic three-team deal on February 1-2, 2025, sending Anthony Davis to Dallas alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. In return, the Lakers received Dončić, plus a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz, caught in the middle, got Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-rounders.At the time, Nico Harrison, Dallas’s GM, called Rob Pelinka, LA’s GM, to propose the deal. Pelinka thought he was being pranked. "I said, ‘Are you serious?’ He said, ‘Dead serious.’ I hung up. Called him back five minutes later," Pelinka later told The Athletic.
Since then, Dončić has become the face of the Lakers. He signed a three-year, $165 million extension on August 2, 2025, and quietly recruited Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton to join the roster. LeBron, notably absent from the signing ceremony, later sent him a text: "Welcome home. Now let’s go win."
What’s Next
The Lakers now sit at 13-4, second in the Western Conference behind the 17-1 Oklahoma City Thunder. A win over the Mavericks on November 28 would lock in a home quarterfinal game at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers, meanwhile, face the Memphis Grizzlies on the same night at Intuit Dome, needing a win to stay alive in group play.And the rivalry? It’s only growing. The Los Angeles Times called it "one of the many piercing stares he sent their way after delivering one of his three-point bombs." Dončić doesn’t need to say much. His game does it for him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Luka Dončić’s performance against the Clippers so significant?
Dončić’s 43-point, 13-assist night wasn’t just statistical dominance—it came against a team he now views as a personal rival since his trade from Dallas. His ability to dominate in LA’s home arena, where he was once seen as a threat to the Lakers’ legacy, has turned this matchup into a symbolic passing of the torch. The emotional intensity and his post-game comments suggest this rivalry is deeply personal.
What caused the confrontation between Kris Dunn and Luka Dončić?
With the game out of reach, Dunn shoved Dončić from behind during a screen, a move many saw as late and unnecessary. Instead of escalating verbally, Dončić turned to confront him, and Dunn responded by placing the ball against his chest—an act interpreted as taunting. Jaxson Hayes’ intervention was immediate and physical, leading to Dunn’s ejection. The NBA has since reviewed the incident but has not announced any additional discipline.
How serious are the court conditions at Crypto.com Arena?
Dončić isn’t the first player to complain—multiple Lakers and Clippers players slipped during warmups and the game. The arena uses a standard polyurethane finish, but humidity levels in LA’s indoor venues can vary. The Lakers’ decision to address it before Friday’s game suggests they’re taking it seriously. If a player suffers a knee or ankle injury from a slip, the league could face liability and scrutiny over venue safety standards.
How did the trade involving Anthony Davis impact the Lakers’ roster dynamics?
The trade shifted the Lakers’ identity from a center-heavy, post-oriented team to a fast-paced, perimeter-driven offense. With Dončić as the engine and James as the veteran leader, LA now has the league’s most potent pick-and-roll duo. The departure of Davis, who struggled with injuries and fit, cleared cap space and allowed the Lakers to add depth like Smart and Ayton—players who complement Dončić’s playmaking rather than compete with it.
What does this win mean for the Lakers’ NBA Cup chances?
The victory clinched the Lakers’ spot in the quarterfinals. A win over the Mavericks on November 28 ensures they host the game at Crypto.com Arena, giving them home-court advantage in the early rounds. With Dončić playing at an MVP level and the team shooting over 55% from the field in their last three games, they’re now considered favorites to reach the NBA Cup finals. Their only real obstacle? The Thunder, who remain undefeated.
Is this the start of a new Lakers dynasty?
It’s too early to say dynasty—but it’s the most cohesive Lakers roster since 2020. Dončić and James are the rare duo who elevate each other: James thrives as a cutter and playmaker with Dončić handling the ball, while Dončić benefits from James’ gravity and veteran IQ. With Smart’s defense, Ayton’s rim protection, and Reaves’ clutch shooting, they’ve solved the depth issues that plagued them last season. If they stay healthy, they’re not just contenders—they’re a threat to dethrone the Thunder.
