Lakers, Clippers play first season since 2018 without LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard

The rivals meet in both home arenas over the next week.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 2h1 min read

Via @LawMurrayTheNU on X

What happened: Neither LeBron James nor Kawhi Leonard is on the Los Angeles Lakers or LA Clippers roster for the first time since 2018, per Law Murray of The Athletic. The two franchises are facing off in both Los Angeles arenas over the next week, starting with the Lakers' 125-117 home victory on Friday night.

Why it matters: After James and Leonard anchored the summer free agency cycle, their offseason departures ended an eight-year stretch in which at least one of the two forwards headlined the Los Angeles basketball landscape. Friday's result pushed the Lakers to 2-0 on the 2026-27 regular season while dropping the Clippers to 1-1.

By the numbers: Los Angeles Lakers: 2-0 record (won 125-117 vs. LA Clippers on Oct. 23). LA Clippers: 1-1 record (lost 117-125 at Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 23). Star tenure: 2018 was the last season neither LeBron James nor Kawhi Leonard played for a Los Angeles franchise.

What to watch: The Clippers will host the second leg of the intracity home-and-home series later this week as they look to even the season series.

Sources

@LawMurrayTheNU 2026-10-24T16:59:58.575129+00:00

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