After l osing their first game of the 2026-27 NBA season to Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers headed into their second game of a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers without superstar Luka Doncic.

The reigning scoring champion was dealing with back tightness, which led the coaching staff to rule him out for this game, with hopes he’ll be ready, along with fellow starter Ziaire Williams (left foot soreness), for Friday’s game in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center.

Fortunately, the Lakers made easy work of the Clippers, beating their crosstown rivals for a second time this season, 103-87.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from the Lakers’ fourth win of the season.

No.…