The Los Angeles Clippers came back from a 17-point deficit to outlast the short-handed Golden State Warriors 114-101 on Monday night.
Kawhi Leonard had 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Darius Garland with 12 points in his Clippers debut, coming off the bench to play nearly 23 minutes after being acquired in exchange for James Harden from the Cavs.
Garland had been nursing a toe injury as he went down with 1:26 left in the second quarter after a collision with Moses Moody, when they both went for a loose ball, and Moody’s right shoulder bumped into Garland’s face.
The former Cavaliers hit a three-pointer with 3:09 left in the third to pull the Clippers with 75-68, followed by Kris Dunn’s steal and layup to make it a five-point game.
The Clippers were within 79-77 going into the final 12 minutes.
Dunn finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the Clippers, who shot just 9 for 31 from 3-point range. Los Angeles used a 9-4 spurt to start the fourth quarter and go ahead 88-81.
On the other hand, Brandin Podziemski had 22 points for the Warriors with Stephen Curry sidelined for an 11th straight game with right knee management.
While newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis was also out for his fifth consecutive contest due to illness.
Al Horford led the Warriors with 17 points, and has lost five of seven and nine of 14.
The Clippers host Indiana on Wednesday, while the Warriors visit Houston on Thursday.
