The Los Angeles Clippers secured a 127-116 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to three games. Kawhi Leonard played a pivotal role, scoring 25 points in his second career triple-double. In addition to his scoring, Leonard grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. James Harden also contributed significantly with 23 points and 10 assists.
Teammates Paul George, Terance Mann, and Norman Powell each scored 17 points, while Russell Westbrook added 16 points to propel the Clippers to their sixth win in seven games. Their impressive record of 20-4 since December showcases their strong performance, with one of the few defeats coming from the Lakers on January 7.
James Harden continued his solid contribution, scoring at least 20 points in back-to-back games for the third time since joining the Clippers in November. This achievement marked his first time accomplishing this since December 2 and December 6.
Kawhi Leonard’s previous triple-double was on January 24, 2020, when he notched 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory against Miami. The Clippers’ recent success is evident, and Leonard’s exceptional performance adds to their momentum.
Despite the Lakers’ efforts, with D’Angelo Russell scoring 27 points and Anthony Davis pairing 26 points with 12 rebounds, they faced a setback as LeBron James was sidelined due to left ankle soreness. The Lakers struggled in their recent stretch, going 5-6 in a series of 12 games, 11 of which were played in Los Angeles.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves scored 12 points each, with Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura contributing 11 points apiece for the Lakers. Their current record stands at 8-14 since winning the NBA in-season tournament in early December, highlighting challenges they’ve faced during this period.
The Clippers dominated the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the third quarter and maintaining control with a 108-97 advantage heading into the final period. Despite the Lakers’ attempts to close the gap, coming within two points twice, the Clippers held their ground. The score tightened to 110-108 with 7:32 remaining after a block from Russell and a fastbreak layup from Prince.
In summary, the Clippers’ triumph over the Lakers was fueled by Kawhi Leonard’s outstanding triple-double, complemented by solid performances from teammates. The Lakers faced challenges without LeBron James, contributing to their 5-6 record in a stretch of 12 games. The Clippers’ impressive 20-4 record since December positions them as a formidable force in the league.
