Sports · October 29, 2026

Lakers Beat Clippers 103–87: Grimes Scores 23 as Dončić Sits Out

A balanced Los Angeles Lakers attack and a strong transition advantage decided the city rivalry at Intuit Dome despite Luka Dončić's absence.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 29, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative licensed photograph of a basketball near an outdoor hoop; not the Lakers, Clippers or October 28 NBA game

Representative licensed photograph, not the reported event or person. Photo: Wayne Howell / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: The Lakers beat the Clippers 103–87 on Oct. 28, 2026. Quentin Grimes scored 23, Collin Sexton added 21, and Luka Dončić missed the game.

Lakers vs. Clippers final score and top scorers

INGLEWOOD, California, October 29, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the LA Clippers 103–87 on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome, improving to 4–1 while the Clippers fell to 1–3. The NBA's official game charts show the Lakers winning the second quarter 31–16 and taking a 56–38 advantage into halftime.

Quentin Grimes led the Lakers with 23 points and five assists. Collin Sexton scored 21 off the bench, while Austin Reaves contributed 16. The Lakers spread their scoring across six double-figure players rather than leaning on one high-volume scorer. The final margin was 16 points after Los Angeles led 85–66 through three quarters.

Why did Luka Dončić miss the Clippers game?

Dončić did not play because of back tightness during the second game of the Lakers' first back-to-back of the season. Coach JJ Redick described the decision as precautionary, according to the Associated Press recap carried by CBS Sports. Starting forward Ziaire Williams also sat out with a sore left foot.

Those details establish why the two players were absent on Wednesday; they do not establish an injury diagnosis or a firm return date. Fans looking for a Luka Dončić injury update should check the Lakers' next official injury report rather than assume that a precautionary absence guarantees availability in the following game.

How the Lakers built a 23-point lead

The Lakers were ahead by three after the first quarter, then changed the game with a 31–16 second period. Their advantage peaked at 23 points, according to the league's game charts. The Clippers trimmed the gap in the fourth quarter, but never erased the deficit created before halftime.

The possession-level numbers reveal more than the score alone. The Lakers recorded 48 points in the paint compared with 28 for the Clippers, and 26 fast-break points compared with just six. The Clippers committed 24 turnovers, five more than the Lakers. Those figures help explain how the visitors generated easier scoring chances even without their usual leading scorer.

What the Clippers' box score says

Keaton Wagler scored 21 for the Clippers, while Derrick Jones Jr. had 15. The Clippers' bench contributed 40 points, but that production was not enough to offset the team's transition and turnover disadvantages. Los Angeles' offense struggled to turn its possessions into the same volume of close-range opportunities as its opponent.

The Lakers' bench scored 36, including Sexton's 21. That matters because the team did not need a single replacement for Dončić's usual scoring; it needed several players to absorb possessions and maintain defensive pressure. Sports Illustrated's box score independently lists the final score and individual player totals.

What comes next for both Los Angeles teams?

The Lakers can take encouragement from winning a rivalry game with a depleted lineup, but the result should not be read as proof that the same rotation will be used when Dončić returns. Their immediate task is to preserve the passing, paint attacks and transition defense that worked on Wednesday.

For the Clippers, limiting turnovers and improving early offense are more actionable than drawing conclusions from one late-October loss. NewsTrendus used the official NBA game record and independent reporting to verify this recap; subsequent lineup changes or injury updates should be checked with the clubs.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus reviewed these official records and independent reports on October 29, 2026. This article is original reporting and analysis based on attributed facts, not a reproduction of source articles.

Editorial note: Developing information may change. Send corrections through our contact page.