Quentin Grimes gave the Los Angeles Lakers more than a scoring boost against the Clippers. He helped supply the defensive activity that changed the outcome of their second meeting of the season.

Grimes finished with 23 points, three rebounds, five assists and four steals in the Lakers’ 103-87 victory Wednesday at Intuit Dome. Playing without starters Luka Dončić and Ziaire Williams, Los Angeles responded to its first loss by holding its opponent below 90 points.

Afterward, Grimes pointed to the way defensive effort spread throughout the group.

“Defense is kind of contagious,” Grimes said. “Got everybody amped up.”

His comments captured the biggest difference between consecutive nights for the Lakers. After struggling to contain Portland in a 136-129 defeat, Los Angeles found a path to victory through stops, activity and contributions from players taking on greater responsibility.

Dončić’s absence left the Lakers without a primary scorer and playmaker. Williams’ absence also removed a starting wing from the rotation, increasing the demands on the available perimeter players.

Grimes answered with a performance that covered several needs. His 23 points supplied offense, while his five assists showed his contribution extended beyond finishing possessions himself.

The four steals added another dimension. On a night when the Lakers needed to establish a stronger defensive standard, Grimes helped disrupt the Clippers while remaining productive offensively.

That combination was especially valuable under the circumstances. Los Angeles was completing a back-to-back, facing a familiar opponent and adjusting to the absence of two starters. Winning required the available players to handle more responsibility without allowing those changes to undermine the team’s execution.

Grimes’ performance gave the Lakers a significant contribution in each of those areas. He provided scoring, helped teammates generate offense and made plays defensively in a game defined by Los Angeles’ ability to limit the Clippers.

The contrast with the Portland loss was substantial. The Lakers allowed 49 fewer points against the Clippers, turning a difficult turnaround into their fourth victory in five games.

Those results came against different opponents, but the defensive response still mattered for a team that entered Wednesday needing improvement at that end.

Grimes’ description of defense becoming contagious offered a player’s perspective on how that response developed. An individual defensive play can energize teammates, but sustaining that energy requires participation throughout the rotation.

Los Angeles received the outcome it needed while operating with a different lineup. The Lakers improved to 4-1 and earned their second victory over the Clippers after winning the first meeting 125-117.

For Grimes, the night demonstrated the range of his potential contributions. His scoring helped cover an immediate need, but his defensive production was equally relevant to the result.

The next challenge for the Lakers is carrying that level of engagement forward. Wednesday supplied an early example of how Grimes can help them do it.