On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Los Angeles Clippers. Unless they encounter each other in the playoffs later this year, it was their final game as the road team.

Despite the absence of key players for both teams, the Lakers needed to win severely to reclaim the top spot in the rankings. After trailing by 21 points, the Lakers rallied to win 116–111.

Despite the absence of Paul George and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers managed to start 10-6 because the Lakers missed a few easy jumpers.

However, Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura were able to score inside to tie the game at twelve because the Clippers aren’t a particularly large team. After a pause, though, Kawhi Leonard started to attack. He was fouled twice and made two shots. Leonard converted a putback just in front of the buzzer to give the Clippers a 30-29 lead at the half.

James Harden began the second quarter by doing what he does best: he searched for errors. And when the Clippers’ lead grew, it worked.

The Lakers have struggled mightily in the defensive rebound department lately, and their issue persisted in the second quarter as the Clippers converted second-chance points to extend their lead to 10 points.

Conversely, the Lakers appeared incapable of doing any task as they struggled to score points, while Harden effortlessly made his way to the foul line and the hoop. The Lakers played so poorly in the second quarter that they were behind 66–52 at the break.

The Lakers found some life at the beginning of the third quarter thanks to several fast baskets by Reaves and Davis’ defence. They launched an 8-0 assault. However, the Clippers responded with a ten-point run of their own to grab an 81-63 advantage, their largest of the game.

The Clippers continued to make easy 3-pointers, while the Lakers continued to commit careless fouls and struggle defensively. Norman Powell’s three-pointer that beat the buzzer put the Lakers behind 96–77 to begin the fourth quarter. In an effort to keep his team in the game, Davis gave it his all.

With a surge to begin the fourth quarter, the Lakers got their game back on track. James scored nine baskets in a row to trim the Clippers’ lead to nine, forcing a timeout. James added five more points immediately following the half to knot the score at five.

The Lakers knotted the game at 106 when LeBron made two more three-pointers and Davis converted a few more throws.

The Clippers kept falling short, and the Lakers seized the lead with a triple and a basket by Rui Hachimura.

Harden’s clever finish put the Lakers ahead 12-0, but Russell responded with a triple to maintain pressure.

In the last minute, Leonard scored two baskets in a row to trim the margin to two points and prolong the game. James missed a shot, giving the Clippers a chance to win with 9.3 seconds remaining.

However, James stopped Leonard’s mid-range jump attempt, allowing the Lakers to complete the victory comeback.