INGLEWOOD, Calif. — LeBron James was instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers’ commanding 122-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, finishing the game with 26 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic, who is nearing a return from a calf injury, watched from the sidelines, enthusiastically supporting his new teammates during their impressive show. Both James and Doncic shared moments on the bench, engaging in conversation and celebrating the Lakers’ performance following the recent high-profile trade that brought Doncic to the team, sending star player Anthony Davis in the opposite direction.

The Lakers showcased a strong effort, with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura contributing significantly by scoring 20 points each. Despite facing the challenge of losing Davis to injury prior to the trade, the Lakers concluded a six-game road trip with five victories. Notably, this win also marked the team’s first ever at the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ newly established arena, highlighting a breakthrough for the Lakers in their local rivalry.

For the Clippers (28-22), Norman Powell led the scoring with 20 points, although the team found themselves slipping two games behind the Lakers (29-19) in the standings of the Western Conference. LeBron’s counterpart, James Harden, had a tough night, completing only 2 of 12 shots for a mere seven points, while Kawhi Leonard finished with 11 points before both stars sat out the fourth quarter.

In a noteworthy moment, Bronny James made his mark by sinking his first NBA 3-pointer during the final six minutes of the game. Additionally, Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks made their debuts with the Clippers, playing the final minutes after being acquired from Utah just days before.

**Key Takeaways:**
For the Clippers, the performance was lackluster as they returned from a four-game trip, leaving owner Steve Ballmer seeking positives. Conversely, the Lakers not only achieved a commanding victory but also demonstrated a strong defensive effort—something they will need to maintain in the absence of Davis.

**Key Moment:**
In the first quarter, the Lakers scored an impressive 45 points, a season-high for any period.

**Key Stat:**
In a display of focus, the Lakers did not commit a turnover until the middle of the second quarter.

Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to face the Warriors in their upcoming game on Thursday, while the Clippers will host the Pacers the same night.