Aside from James’ play, not much to like

The only thing left for JJ Redick to do was joke about it.

- Thuc Nhi Nguyen

JAKE LARAVIA grimaces on a night when the Lakers dealt with injuries, technical fouls and missed threes.

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times

What else could be said after the Lakers made just six of 38 three-pointers in a 103-88 loss to the Clippers on Saturday?

“I was proud that we improved from three [after starting] four for 33,” the coach deadpanned. “So we got better as the game progressed.”

With four starters out because of injuries, the Lakers’ ice cold shooting doomed them to a season low in points. Star guard Luka Doncic left the game with 12 points at halftime after a left leg contusion sustained in the first half. Redick noticed the NBA’s leading scorer limping on the court during the second quarter. Fellow starters Austin Reaves (calf), Deandre Ayton (elbow) and Rui Hachimura (groin) already were sidelined as well as key reserve Gabe Vincent (back).

It left them with just one starter in LeBron James, who had 36 points, four rebounds and three assists as the Lakers (19-8) fell behind by 22 but cut the deficit to seven in the fourth quarter before fading again.

“We just didn’t make shots,” said James, who made half of the team’s threes, going three for seven. “It happens over the course of a season. We had some great looks. We just didn’t make shots. But we still gave ourselves a chance to be in the game with how well we defended, our competitive spirit, our competitive nature.”

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Pleas toward referees falling flat

The Lakers were assessed five technical fouls in the last two games because of conduct with officials as frustration over what they see as inconsistent calls is starting to boil over.