Above: Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket during a college basketball game, elevating for a layup as defenders close in from the San Diego Toreros. Photo by Dirk DBQ,  CC BY 2.0

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers is always a delight to watch. The Lakers and Clippers have played a total of 246 regular games, in which the Lakers have won 157, and the Clippers have won 89. Although the Clippers had a significant winning streak against the mighty Lakers from 2019 to 2023, the Lakers have won 7 of the last 10 head-to-head matches.

After a close defeat against the Clippers, the Lakers would still be aiming for the top spot in the playoffs. With 5 wins and equal losses in the last 10 games, they haven't been able to win three consecutive games, which is surprising for a team of such calibre—a team with LeBron James, Luka Dončić, DeAndre Ayton, and many more amazing players.

What is going wrong with the Los Angeles Lakers?

After 13 wins in the first 20 games, the Lakers faced a drastic decline in their performance. The recent injury to Austin Reaves forced the team to make rough shuffles, like playing Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia alongside LeBron James and DeAndre Ayton. Though none of them are bad players, the situation requires something different. Despite being a key player, Luka Dončić's high turnover rate and foul issues are becoming a problem for the team.

Another problem is their lax defence. Coach JJ Redick believes the gruelling schedule is another concern. The team is playing five games in seven days. However, key players are performing exceptionally well, whether it's LeBron or Dončić. The poor second-chance points and transition defence show deeper issues amid their 104-112 defeat against the Clippers.

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Kawhi Leonard: The Man who made all the difference

Kawhi Leonard is at his career peak. It is his 23rd consecutive game in which he has scored at least 20 points. The 24 points by Kawhi Leonard are what helped the Clippers clench a 112-104 victory over their Los Angeles rivals.

In 2026, he is among the top scorers in the NBA alongside Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham, and others. Though the win may not have helped them improve their table position, it eventually dethroned the Los Angeles Lakers from the top four. With this win, the Clippers remain in 10th place with 19 wins and 24 losses.

What does the future hold for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Corleone Brown Stadium
The pre-match celebrations before a basketball match. Photo by Corleone Brown from Pexels

Tomorrow is never guaranteed. While the defeat may have hurt fans and experts, the Los Angeles Lakers have a challenging yet recoverable path forward. Austin Reaves' left calf injury since Christmas is expected to heal during their eight-game road trip by February 3. The team relies heavily on the form of DeAndre Ayton, LeBron James, and especially Luka Dončić

After 26 wins and 17 losses, the Lakers are in sixth place in the Western Conference table. If the table freezes now, they would still get to the playoffs.

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Lakers vs Clippers: What are the fans and experts saying?

The Clippers may have some great players like James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Kawhi Leonard, but they need to win and take the spot the Lakers currently hold. The recent win over the Lakers would have boosted their morale to the roof. With this victory, they have won 7 of their last 10 matches in NBA 2026. If they keep their winning streak on, you might see them in the playoffs.​

Fans believe that the Lakers can make a comeback if their defence strengthens and they commit fewer fouls. Besides, the much-anticipated return of Austin Reaves would be a game-changer for the team. The only things they are lacking are consistency and error-free matches. Despite getting closer, they are not converting trials into leads or leads into wins. The team would need to implement tactical shifts after this defeat against the Clippers.