Clippers Extend Winning Streak with Dominant Victory Over Wizards
Leonard’s Stellar Performance Propels Clippers Forward
The Los Angeles Clippers continued their impressive turnaround on Wednesday night, defeating the Washington Wizards 119-105 as Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 points to extend their winning streak to four games. This victory marks another milestone in the Clippers’ remarkable resurgence after a challenging start to the season.
Clippers’ Impressive Turnaround
The Clippers improved to 11-2 since 20 December after starting the season 6-21, demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and find winning form. The victory came without starting centre Ivica Zubac (ankle) and starting forward John Collins (groin), whilst Leonard (ankle) was on a minutes restriction. Despite these limitations, Leonard finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range in 30 minutes, showcasing his efficiency and impact.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 16 points and Jordan Miller added 11 points with 10 rebounds, providing crucial support to the star duo.
Dominant Start and Resilient Finish
The Clippers led 37-22 after one quarter and were up by 24 in the first half before settling into a 70-51 lead at halftime. However, the Wizards went on a 30-13 run to open the second half and pull within 83-81 with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Clippers regrouped in the fourth quarter, with Leonard scoring 11 consecutive points early in the fourth quarter, his 3-pointer with 6:14 remaining giving Los Angeles a 110-95 lead.
Wizards Continue to Struggle
Kyshawn George scored 23 points and Khris Middleton added 17 for the Wizards, who lost their fourth consecutive game and fell to 0-2 on a four-game road trip. Washington remained short-handed after CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert were traded Friday, and new addition Trae Young (knee, quad) remains out.
This matchup highlights the contrasting fortunes of both teams, with the Clippers building momentum whilst the Wizards search for answers in a challenging season.