James Harden led the Los Angeles Clippers with 31 points and 10 rebounds in a dominant 123-88 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
Kawhi Leonard added 23 points, and Ivica Zubac contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 38-30. Los Angeles maintained control after taking a double-digit lead late in the second quarter and never looked back.
Charlotte, now 17-50, struggled offensively after scoring a season-high 145 points against San Antonio on Friday. Mark Williams led the Hornets with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while LaMelo Ball added 16 points.
The Clippers took charge early with a 17-6 run in the first quarter, turning an 11-9 deficit into a 10-point lead. Harden’s layup with 1:43 left in the period capped the surge, and Los Angeles never trailed again.
Harden and Leonard combined for seven three-pointers, outshooting the entire Hornets squad, which finished just 6-of-33 from beyond the arc. The Clippers shot 50% from deep, further highlighting Charlotte’s offensive struggles.
Derrick Jones Jr. added 12 points for Los Angeles, which has quietly won six of its last seven games. The Clippers now sit five games behind the Rockets, Nuggets, and Grizzlies, who are all tied for second place in the Western Conference.
Charlotte never found a rhythm, failing to reach 90 points for the ninth time this season. The Hornets were held to 39.4% shooting from the field and committed 11 turnovers.
Los Angeles’ defense played a key role, limiting Charlotte’s perimeter shooting and dominating the glass with a 58-44 rebounding advantage. Zubac’s presence in the paint helped the Clippers establish control early.
