Kawhi Leonard Dominates as Clippers Defeat Hawks in Thrilling Showdown
ATLANTA (AP) — In a high-scoring battle, Kawhi Leonard led the Los Angeles Clippers to a thrilling 149-144 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Leonard showcased his skills with an impressive 36-point performance, including 11 crucial points in the fourth quarter. James Harden contributed 30 points and 10 assists, while Paul George added 18 points to secure the win for the Clippers.
The Hawks, who had been on a four-game winning streak, put up a strong fight with Trae Young scoring 25 points and De’Andre Hunter matching a season-high of 27 points off the bench. However, their efforts fell short against the dominant Clippers.
The victory concluded a successful 13-day road trip for the Clippers, who finished with an impressive 6-1 record. Since November 30, they have been on a remarkable run, winning 26 out of their last 31 games. Coach Tyronn Lue praised his team’s resilience, stating, “To go 6-1 against the caliber of teams we played on this trip, coming into it, we knew tonight was going to be tough. It was a total team effort.”
The Clippers showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 60% from beyond the arc. Their ability to take care of the basketball was also a key factor in their victory, as they only committed seven turnovers throughout the game. Lue emphasized the importance of ball security, stating, “Taking care of the basketball has always been a big key for us. We are too good offensively to turn it over.”
Leonard, who was named the Western Conference player of the week, played a crucial role in the Clippers’ victory. In the final minutes of the game, he spearheaded an 8-2 run, hitting a clutch 3-pointer, converting a three-point play, and assisting on a layup. This surge gave the Clippers a comfortable 139-130 lead. Despite a late push from the Hawks, including three free throws from Young, Harden’s banked-in 3-pointer while being fouled extended the Clippers’ lead to 142-133, securing the win.
While pleased with the victory, Lue expressed disappointment in the team’s defensive performance, particularly in the fourth quarter where they allowed 43 points. He acknowledged the fatigue factor but emphasized the need to improve defensively, stating, “We’ve got to get back home and be better (on defense). I don’t know if it was fatigue. Guys have played a lot of games, a lot of minutes. I’ll give them a little bit of a break with that, but we have to be better.”
The game featured a back-and-forth battle, with the third quarter ending on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Daniel Theis, giving the Clippers a slim 102-101 lead heading into the final period. Young had earlier tied the score at 66 with a driving hoop just before halftime.
Both teams faced injury challenges, with Hawks’ center Clint Capela sidelined due to a left adductor strain. Clippers’ starting center Ivica Zubac also missed the game with a right calf strain.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, while the Hawks will face the Boston Celtics on the same day.