Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton Lead Lakers Past Clippers in 103-87 Win

The Los Angeles Lakers cruised past the Los Angeles Clippers 103-87 at Intuit Dome on Wednesday night, capturing their fourth win in five games to open the 2026-27 NBA season. Facing their crosstown rivals without superstar guard Luka Dončić, who was sidelined due to back tightness, the Lakers relied on depth and defensive pressure to control the matchup from the opening tip.

Dončić's absence required head coach JJ Redick to adjust his rotation on the second night of a back-to-back. The six-time All-Star experienced back tightness after logging 39 minutes on Tuesday in a 136-129 home defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers, a game in which he tallied 41 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. That came shortly after his 52-point showcase against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, which tied him with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 11th on the NBA's all-time 50-point games list and made him the fastest player to reach 3,000 points in Lakers franchise history.

The Lakers were also missing multiple depth contributors, as Ziaire Williams sat out with foot soreness, Cameron Carr missed the game due to an oblique strain, and Adou Thiero was held out for left knee injury management. Despite the thin rotation, the team found immediate production from its newer additions. Guard Quentin Grimes paced the offense with a team-high 23 points while setting the tone defensively with four steals.

Veteran guard Collin Sexton provided critical reinforcement in the backcourt, finishing with 21 points and an aggressive defensive performance. Alongside Austin Reaves, the Lakers' perimeter group disrupted the Clippers' rhythm throughout the evening, ensuring that the offense remained effective even without its primary playmaker on the floor.

The Clippers entered the contest dealing with extensive roster absences of their own. Head coach and team personnel had to navigate the contest without Bradley Beal, who is out with a knee issue, and Brandon Ingram, who is sidelined with a heel problem. Max Strus, Rui Hachimura, Jordan Miller, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser were also inactive due to various injuries, severely limiting the home team's offensive firepower.

A bright spot for the Clippers came in the play of rookie Keaton Wagler. The No. 5 overall draft selection turned in an energetic performance off the bench, recording 21 points and four rebounds. Wagler stayed aggressive by earning 12 free-throw attempts and beat the clock with a buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter. The Clippers also produced a highlight play when guard Darius Garland connected with forward Isaiah Jackson for a third-quarter alley-oop dunk.

The loss extended the Clippers' early-season losing streak to three games following their opening-night win over Sacramento. Both Los Angeles franchises now look ahead to road matchups on Friday. The Lakers will travel north to face the Golden State Warriors, seeking to replicate their 22-point victory from opening night, while the Clippers will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, who will be playing without guard Anthony Edwards.