Kawhi Leonard credited aggressiveness and team trust after scoring 45 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 118-101 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at Intuit Dome. The victory extended Los Angeles’ winning streak to a season-best six games.
“Just kept being aggressive. Teammates wanted me to keep shooting, stayed aggressive, found a way to get my shot up and it fell for me,” Leonard said when asked how he found another gear late in the game.
Leonard described his current scoring stretch as the most productive of his career. “It’s very rewarding. When you put in the work, it don’t always show up the next day or in a month. It might come in two years. So, you just got to keep at it every day and have faith and, you know, trust God in yourself and everything will unfold,” he explained.
The Clippers overcame a 21-point first-quarter lead that briefly disappeared after Utah rallied behind bench scoring and 58 points in the paint. Leonard’s fourth-quarter surge, including four three-pointers, matched Utah’s output and secured the win.
On the team’s performance during the stretch, Leonard said, “Just keep fighting through. We up 15 20 points early. They fought back, got a lead, and we just kept fighting. End up closing it out with a 17-point lead and win the game.”
James Harden contributed 20 points and seven assists, while Nicolas Batum added 14 points and four three-pointers. The Clippers shot 45 percent from the field and outscored Utah 16-7 in the final minutes.
Leonard also addressed the significance of his teammates’ support in his scoring run. “Teammates wanted me to keep shooting,” he repeated, emphasizing the team’s role in maintaining offensive rhythm during crucial stretches.
Utah, playing without Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jusuf Nurkic, was led by Kyle Anderson’s 22 points off the bench. Brice Sensabaugh added 20, while Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively.
The Clippers return home to host the Boston Celtics on Saturday, while the Jazz continue their road trip at the Golden State Warriors. Leonard’s remarks highlight both his personal discipline and the Clippers’ collective effort as the team continues to improve midseason.
