The Los Angeles Lakers are getting close to reclaiming the NBA Cup championship.
On Tuesday, Luka Doncic powered the Purple and Gold to a 135-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Slovenian guard recorded a near triple-double of 43 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists, as the Lakers won their fifth straight game and improved to a 3-0 record in the NBA Cup.
As a result, the Lakers also became the first Western Conference team to secure a spot in the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup. They topped West Group B, thereby joining the Toronto Raptors into the next round. The Raptors are the No.1 team in East Group A with a 3-0 record as well.
“The @Lakers are the first Western Conference team to advance to the Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Rounds after winning West Group B,” the NBA announced.
“With the Lakers and Raptors into the Quarterfinals, six spots remain up for grabs as Group Play continues Wednesday and concludes Friday.”
The Lakers have one more game in the NBA Cup group stage, against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, before the tournament shifts to the knockout rounds in December.
L.A. won the inaugural NBA Cup championship, but they weren’t able to defend their title last season.
That said, the Lakers have a great chance at winning the competition once again, especially with their Big 3 of Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves fully healthy and thriving.
In 2023, when the Lakers emerged victorious, each player got $500,000 for winning the title. The prize money increases every year as part of the CBA, meaning the players of the championship team this season will earn over half a million dollars each.
