Leonard scores 33 as Clippers extend win streak to 5 with 131-90 rout of Kings
- - Leonard scores 33 as Clippers extend win streak to 5 with 131-90 rout of Kings
DOUG PADILLA December 31, 2025 at 3:46 AM
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Sacramento Kings guard/forward Demar Derozan, front, is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as teammate Yanic Konan Niederhäuser tries to help on defense in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games Tuesday night with a 131-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
James Harden had 21 points while John Collins and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser each added 16 for the Clippers, who have found a successful formula after not winning more than two consecutive games before their current run of success began.
Leonard’s productive night came after he scored a career-best 55 points in a victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. He has averaged 37.8 points over the past five games.
Los Angeles’ win streak started on the same night center Ivica Zubac went down with a left ankle sprain. Zubac has not played in any of the past four games.
Nique Clifford scored 18 points while Maxime Raynaud and Russell Westbrook each had 12 for the Kings, who fell to 3-12 since Nov. 26. Raynaud also grabbed 12 rebounds, but Sacramento lost its fifth consecutive road game.
Westbrook added four assists and a pair of 3-pointers against his former team.
The Clippers left little doubt from the start. They led 34-20 after one quarter and were up by 36 in the second before taking a 70-43 advantage into halftime. They shot 57.1% from the floor in the second quarter while scoring 39 points, with Leonard delivering 18 of them.
Leonard had 30 points through three quarters as the Clippers led 100-71 and coasted from there.
Los Angeles shot 51.1% from the field overall while posting its largest margin of victory this season. Sacramento shot 41% from the floor.
The Clippers committed just four turnovers while forcing the Kings into 19 that they turned into 28 points.
Up next
Kings: Home against the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
Clippers: Home against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Source: “AOL Sports”
