Clippers and Lakers Clash in Crosstown Showdown

LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard lead their teams in highly anticipated NBA matchup

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Los Angeles Clippers (26-28) will take on the Los Angeles Lakers (33-21) on Friday, February 20, 2026 at the crypto.com Arena. The Clippers are coming off a 105-102 victory over the Rockets, while the Lakers recently defeated the Mavericks 124-104. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, while LeBron James posted a double-double of 28 points and 12 assists for the Lakers.

Why it matters

This crosstown rivalry game between the Clippers and Lakers is always highly anticipated, as the two teams battle for LA basketball supremacy. Both teams are jockeying for playoff position in the Western Conference, making this a crucial matchup with major implications for their postseason aspirations.

The details

The Clippers are led by Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this season. The Lakers are paced by LeBron James, who is putting up 28.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 12.0 assists per contest. In their last meeting, the Lakers defeated the Clippers 124-104 behind a strong performance from James.

  • The game will tip off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A 5-time NBA All-Star and 2-time NBA champion, Leonard is the Clippers' leading scorer and one of the league's premier two-way players.

LeBron James

A 4-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, James continues to defy Father Time as one of the NBA's all-time greats and the Lakers' driving force.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready to match the Lakers' intensity from the opening tip. This is a big game for us as we look to gain ground in the playoff race.”

— Kawhi Leonard (Instagram)

“The Clippers are a talented team, but we're focused on taking care of business at home and continuing our strong play heading into the All-Star break.”

— LeBron James (Twitter)

What’s next

The winner of this game will gain valuable ground in the Western Conference standings as the playoff race heats up.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Clippers and Lakers features two of the NBA's premier superstars in Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, and will be a must-watch game for basketball fans as the two LA rivals battle for city supremacy and playoff positioning.