Overview
- Los Angeles opened a five-game trip in Atlanta and dropped to 7-3 with its first road defeat.
- LeBron James remained out with sciatica after being cleared for contact work, with reevaluation in 1–2 weeks.
- Austin Reaves missed a third straight game due to a right groin strain.
- Maxi Kleber was upgraded to available and made his season debut after nine games out with an abdominal strain.
- Atlanta played without Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis yet controlled the game throughout to hand L.A. a 20-point defeat.