After a four-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 106–103 on Sunday night. LeBron James dished out seven assists, pulled down eight rebounds, and scored 25 points. With 1:17 remaining in the game, Taurean Prince converted the game-winning 3-point shot.

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After suffering 11 straight losses to their rivals across the hall, the Lakers defeated the Clippers for the second time in a row. In addition to scoring 22, Anthony Davis pulled down ten rebounds.

Norman Powell missed his 3-point attempt at the buzzer, but the Lakers managed to defeat one of the top NBA teams. Other than that, since winning the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, the Lakers have only triumphed four times in fourteen games.

The Clippers’ winning run of five games came to an end. Ivica Zubac scored 22 points and pulled down 19 rebounds, while Paul George scored 22 points. Kawhi Leonard scored fifteen points in James Harden’s first game back against the Lakers after he was traded to the Clippers. Harden added nine assists as well. In their last 17 games, the Lakers have won 14 of them.

Before Russell hit his third three-point shot early in the fourth quarter to give the Lakers a 92-82 advantage, neither team had a lead of more than ten points. Powell’s three free throws with 2:19 remaining knotted the game as the Clippers rallied for nine straight points in the final minutes of play. The Lakers shot 2 for 7 during this period and turned the ball over six times.

Conversely, Russell found Prince for a huge 3-pointer from beyond the arc. Russell had one of his greatest shots after joining the Lakers. Harden missed a jumper, but James made a crucial fadeaway shot. Harden scored a 3-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to keep the game close.

Prince converted two free throws, but Zubac got the basket fast. Austin Reaves missed one of his two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining. Powell didn’t look bad, but he was unable to tie his tie.

After missing three games due to a bruised tailbone, Russell returned to the court and scored 13 points and three 3-pointers for the Lakers. Before their overtime victory early in the season, the Lakers had not defeated the Clippers in three years.

Unless they encounter each other in the playoffs, the Clippers’ final game in their building as a “visiting” team was played. It was an important time for the group. The Clippers’ final two games against these two Los Angeles teams this season will be played “home.” At home games, Lakers supporters typically outnumber Clippers supporters.

Since its opening in 1999, the Clippers and Lakers have shared the Staples Center building. In the past ten years, the Clippers have finally emerged as a serious opponent after years of hardship.

Next season, the Intuit Dome, owned by Steve Ballmer, the wealthy owner of the Clippers, will open in Inglewood. After living alongside the Lakers’ championship banners for 25 years, the squad will now have its own space to play.