The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers went toe-to-toe on Thursday night as each club needed a huge win. Their determination was made obvious as the battle for Los Angeles went down to the wire.

The Lakers and Clippers traded blows throughout the final minute of the game, each one looking like the final dagger. A 3-pointer from Malik Monk with 28 seconds left put the Lakers up by two. Marcus Morris responded with a triple on the next possession. Russell Westbrook connected on a lob with Anthony Davis after that. Then, Reggie Jackson laid the final nail in the coffin with a layup with four seconds left.

Monk was crushed that the Lakers lost and that his huge shot couldn't get Los Angeles the win. Although LeBron James voiced support and pride in his teammates, it won't make the loss sting any less.

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This season has been brutal overall for the Lakers. They are now 25-28 on the season and are closer to being out of the playoff picture than they are to a top-six seed in the Western Conference. After the game, Monk stated that Los Angeles has to figure out how to be consistent.

The Lakers, indeed, have to figure out how to be consistent. Their already grim title hopes took a hit with James' knee injury and a hamstring injury suffered by Carmelo Anthony in the loss to the Clippers.