
Kawhi Leonard reached a significant milestone during the Los Angeles Clippers’ 116-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, surpassing 14,000 career points. Leonard, however, downplayed the achievement, emphasizing his team-first mentality.
Speaking after the game, Leonard said, “I’m not looking at that as a milestone. I’m more of a team guy and [want to] get the win… be the last team standing. But thank God for being able to get that opportunity. Most people don’t. I take every opportunity and blessing and don’t take it for granted.”
Leonard contributed 19 points in just 24 minutes, helping the Clippers secure their fourth consecutive win. The game also marked the Lakers’ debut at the newly opened Intuit Dome, but the Clippers stole the spotlight, improving to 24-17 on the season.
The Clippers controlled the game from the second quarter onward, with Norman Powell leading the team with 22 points. James Harden added 21 points and 12 assists, while Ivica Zubac dominated the paint with 21 points and 19 rebounds.
Leonard made his mark in the third quarter, scoring eight consecutive points to build a 26-point lead. Although he did not play in the fourth quarter due to his minutes restriction, his performance left a lasting impact.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 11 assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 19 points. Anthony Davis, returning from a one-game absence due to plantar fasciitis, struggled against Zubac’s presence, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers dropped to 22-18 after the loss, snapping a two-game winning streak.
The Clippers capitalized on the Lakers’ mistakes, forcing 15 turnovers and converting them into scoring opportunities. Both teams shot efficiently, with the Clippers finishing at 52.8% from the field compared to the Lakers’ 50%. Los Angeles also outperformed their crosstown rivals from beyond the arc, hitting 11 three-pointers to the Lakers’ nine.