The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers again on November 27. Lob City trailed as much as eight points in the fourth quarter before it rallied to take a 120-115 victory at home.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, Blake Griffin injured his left knee with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Griffin got hurt during a loose ball situation that included his teammate Austin Rivers and Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball.
Following the win over the Lakers, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers knew who to blame for Griffin's injury. In a statement after the game, Rivers said per the Associated Press, "Lonzo knocked someone into Blake and it was a trigger effect."
However, a video of the sequence that got Griffin injured does not support Rivers' claim.
Lonzo Ball did not knock someone into the Clippers All-Star. It was Austin who crashed into the left knee of Griffin. It looked like Austin even pushed the Lakers point guard a little which led to the latter colliding with Griffin.
Future great
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers praised Lonzo Ball, despite blaming him for Blake Griffin's injury. Rivers believes the Lakers newcomer will be a great player in the NBA.
It is uncertain what Rivers saw for him to compliment Lonzo Ball, though it is unlikely the rookie's performance against them Monday night. Versus the Clippers, the young star of the Lakers struggled with his shooting once more. Ball tallied just three points, as he shot 1-of-7 from the field, that included 0-of-2 from the three-point area.
The 20-year-old thrived in other departments as he recorded five rebounds, seven assists, and a steal.
The numbers of Lonzo Ball in their second meeting with the Clippers are almost identical to the ones he had when the Lakers first took on Lob City on October 19. In that first encounter, the former Chino Hills and UCLA standout registered three points too.
But as usual, he made up for it by stuffing other categories on the stat sheet as he tallied nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
Up Next
There is a daunting challenge waiting for Lonzo Ball and the Lakers. On November 29, they will attempt to put an end to a two-game losing streak when they welcome reigning champions, the Golden State Warriors, at the Staples Center. Meanwhile, Doc Rivers, Blake Griffin, and the Clippers are set to close a two-game homestand. They are going to host the Utah Jazz on November 30.
