Luka Doncic scored 43 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 135-118 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles while proving again he can do it all. There was no smoke curling from his fingertips, but he caught fire early Tuesday, Nov. 25.

One loss doesn’t derail a season. However, the way the Lakers’ third straight defeat unfolded against the Rockets told a bigger story. The flashing 119-96 itself raised eyebrows, then Luka Dončić calling out the group made it clear that something wasn’t right.

In a matchup of stars in Los Angeles, Amen Thompson finished with a game-high 26 points (63.2% FG) as Houston routed the Lakers for a much-needed win.

Against the Suns, the Lakers just did not look ready. The game was all but over by the third quarter, as they dropped 45 points in 12 minutes. The Lakers never got back or even tried to slow the momentum. And for a player like Smart, that was unacceptable.

Lakers prospect Bronny James shines vs Victor Oladipo in a G-League win, signaling real growth with the South Bay Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers received a crucial injury update on Austin Reaves, while Luka Dončić is also being monitored.

Lakers vs Suns best bet: Devin Booker Over 25.5 points (-115) The Phoenix Suns are looking like a Play-in team, but they need Devin Booker to keep balling out to stay on the heels of the Top 6 in the West.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant are squaring off on Christmas once again as the Lakers face the Rockets. And Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets are going up against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves to close things out on Thursday night.