The Los Angeles Clippers ended a two-game slide with a 134-124 win over the Golden State Warriors during the Tuesday night NBA slate. Kawhi Leonard led with 33 points and dropped in a career-high seven 3-pointers.
“The Clippers just outplayed us,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “They were great in the second half and they deserved it.”
With Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland, and Mason Plumlee debuting for the Clippers, Norman Powell added 24 points and Paul George had 20 points and eight assists. The Warriors’ bench was outscored 49-42 by them.
“It’s going to be different for us,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We got to put this together as fast as we can.”
In the teams’ final game before the All-Star break, Gordon scored seven points, Hyland scored six and Plumlee scored eight.
“They did a good job of just being themselves and being aggressive,” Leonard said.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers & Golden State Warriors Updates
It took Leonard 34 minutes for him to make both of his free throws, as he was 12 of 17 from the floor and 7 of 9 from beyond the arc.
“I kept shooting with confidence,” Leonard said.
A total of seven Warriors scored in double figures, led by Jordan Poole’s 28 points. For the first time since 2019, Klay Thompson played on the second night of a back-to-back, and he had had 18 points. Kevon Looney chipped in 11 points and 14 rebounds. By halftime, the Warriors led 65-61 with four players in double figures.
The Warriors hold just a 29-29 record at the NBA All-Star break. While new acquisition Gary Payton II could be out a month, they hope to have Stephen Curry back shortly after the break.
“We have reinforcements coming and we have a lot to look forward to,” Kerr said. “We have lost so many games that we should have won. We know we’re right there.”
A 3-pointer by Gordon early in the fourth made the Clippers’ lead 18 points. A 3-pointer by Jonathan Kuminga cut it to 116-106 for the Warriors. Off the bench, he scored 16 points.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers & Golden State Warriors Updates
It was a back-and-forth game early in the third, with both teams trading leads five times. The Clippers led 105-93 going into the fourth quarter after outscoring the Warriors 19-7. Before Leonard checked out for the final time the Clippers held a 128-114 lead using his seventh 3-pointer.
“With this offense, I feel like I can create in the lane and find teammates,” Hyland said. “I forgot Mason can push the ball, too.”
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