INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Los Angeles Clippers put on a show Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, dominating the Sacramento Kings 131-90 and extending their winning streak to a season-best five games. Kawhi Leonard delivered another stellar performance, finishing with 33 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, as the Clippers overwhelmed a struggling Kings squad from the opening tip. The victory comes just two days after Leonard’s career-best 55-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons, underscoring his current hot streak and the Clippers’ resurgence in the Western Conference.
For Sacramento, the defeat marked their worst of the season, dropping them to 8-25, just ahead of the 8-26 New Orleans Pelicans in the standings. The Kings’ woes were evident early, and head coach Doug Christie’s call for consistent effort following a blowout loss to the Lakers on Sunday went largely unheeded. “We’ve got to bring it every night, not just when things are going well,” Christie had said before tipoff, but his team was outhustled, outshot, and outclassed for four quarters.
The Clippers wasted no time asserting their authority, racing out to a 34-20 lead after the first quarter. James Harden, who tallied 21 points on the night, set the tone with his aggressive drives and timely shooting. Rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser and John Collins each chipped in 16 points, providing crucial support in the absence of starting center Ivica Zubac, who missed his fourth straight game due to a left ankle sprain. Yet, the Clippers’ offense showed no signs of missing a beat, shooting 51.1% from the field overall and an impressive 57.1% in the second quarter alone.
Leonard was unstoppable in the first half, pouring in 18 of his points in the second quarter as Los Angeles built a 70-43 halftime advantage. By then, the Kings had already conceded a 19-2 run and were shooting just 31.8% from the field compared to the Clippers’ 53.3%. The defensive lapses and lack of rebounding effort were glaring, as the Clippers repeatedly attacked the paint and capitalized on Sacramento’s inability to protect the rim. Ten of Los Angeles’ first 14 points came inside, a sign of things to come as the Kings struggled to match their opponent’s physicality and size.
“It was a tough look when you have 6-foot-5 Nique Clifford guarding 6-foot-9 John Collins,” noted one analyst, highlighting the Kings’ persistent size issues. The mismatch was emblematic of Sacramento’s season-long struggles, particularly against teams with versatile frontcourts. Even the return of Keegan Murray, who had missed two games with injury, couldn’t stem the tide. Murray managed 11 points, two rebounds, and an assist on 4-of-13 shooting, leading the team with 13 field goal attempts but finding little success against Leonard’s suffocating defense.
By the start of the third quarter, the Kings’ fate was sealed. They opened the half with a 24-second violation, and although they managed to outscore the Clippers 31-27 in the period, the deficit remained insurmountable at 100-71 entering the fourth. Rookie Nique Clifford provided a rare bright spot, scoring a career-high 18 points, including 13 in the second half on 7-of-12 shooting. Clifford’s performance offered a glimmer of hope for Sacramento’s future, as did the continued development of fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud, who contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds.
“Seeing flashes from our young talent is the best-case scenario at this point in the season,” Christie said after the game. The Kings’ bench saw extended minutes in the final quarter, with Devin Carter returning from an ankle injury to make his first appearance with just over seven minutes remaining. Yet, the closing moments only served to underscore the gulf between the two teams, as the Clippers’ reserves maintained the pressure and pushed the margin to a season-high 41 points.
The Kings’ offensive woes were compounded by their inability to take care of the basketball. Sacramento committed 19 turnovers, which the Clippers converted into 28 points, while Los Angeles was remarkably disciplined, surrendering the ball just four times all night. The Kings finished the game shooting 41% from the field but were just 33.3% at one point, and they were out-rebounded and outmuscled on nearly every possession.
For the Clippers, the win represents a significant turnaround from their early-season struggles. After starting the campaign 6-21, Los Angeles has now won five straight, with Leonard averaging a scorching 37.8 points over that span. The recent surge has come despite the absence of Zubac, with Niederhauser stepping up in the paint and the team showing renewed defensive intensity. The Clippers’ largest margin of victory this season is a testament to their improved chemistry and confidence.
“We’re just playing together, trusting each other, and making the right plays,” Harden said postgame. “Kawhi’s been on another level, and everyone’s stepping up. We know what we’re capable of when we lock in.”
Sacramento, meanwhile, faces a daunting road ahead. The loss extended their road losing streak to five games and cast a harsh light on the roster’s limitations. The lack of interior presence, inconsistent defensive effort, and reliance on young, unproven players have all contributed to their dismal record. Scott Perry and the Kings’ front office have work to do if they hope to avoid more lopsided defeats and build a competitive core around Murray and Clifford.
Looking forward, both teams have little time to dwell on Tuesday’s outcome. The Clippers will look to keep their momentum rolling as they host the Utah Jazz on Thursday, January 2, while the Kings return home for a matchup against the Boston Celtics on January 1. For Sacramento, the focus will be on regrouping and finding positives amid a challenging season. For Los Angeles, the challenge is to sustain their winning formula and continue climbing the standings in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
As the Clippers celebrate their most emphatic win of the year and the Kings search for answers, one thing is clear: Tuesday night’s rout was a statement, and both teams now look to the future with very different perspectives.
