NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers were beaten 116-109 by the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday’s opening night of the new season.
The Clippers’ Paul George scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half while Kawhi Leonard added 26 of his own.
It is the second successive year the Clippers have defeated the Lakers in their season opener.
The Lakers were presented with their NBA Championship rings before the game, which featured a mamba snake behind players’ numbers to honour former player Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January.
This is what it's all about 💍 pic.twitter.com/kZlYMYb93X
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 23, 2020
The top of the ring is also detachable, revealing retired Lakers’ jerseys – with Bryant’s number eight and 24 jerseys highlighted in purple.
The Lakers couldn’t cap off ring night with victory though, never leading against the Clippers who had at most a 22-point advantage in the first quarter.
LeBron James top-scored for the hosts at an empty Staples Centre, with 22 points.
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