The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112-104 on January 31, 2025, behind stellar performances from Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard. This victory extended the Clippers' dominance over the Hornets, marking their 13th consecutive win against them, with their last defeat to Charlotte dating back to November 18, 2017.
The game took place at the Spectrum Center, and viewers witnessed Powell leading the Clippers with 27 points, alongside Leonard, who contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. Ivica Zubac and James Harden also made important contributions with 14 points each, and Harden dished out 10 assists, solidifying his status as one of the league's elite playmakers.
For the Hornets, Miles Bridges matched Powell's total by scoring 27 points, and Vasilije Micić added 20 points—his season-high—together with four assists. Despite the loss, these standout performances from the Hornets highlighted their potential for improvement as the season progresses.
Throughout the contest, the Clippers managed to establish momentum starting from the third quarter, leading by as much as 10 points. They maintained their lead and sealed the game with key plays late, including Harden's timely three-pointer and Leonard's dunk, which brought the score to 110-99 with just under two minutes remaining.
After the game, Harden celebrated reaching another career milestone, becoming the second fastest player in NBA history to accumulate over 26,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds, all achieved within 1,117 games.
Although the game marked another setback for Charlotte, who fell to 12-33 for the season, they continue to fight through their franchise-record nine-game homestand. The Hornets are set to play the Denver Nuggets next, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
Head coach for the Clippers, having engineered this victory, stated, “We know we can’t take teams lightly. Every game counts, and today’s performance shows what we can do when we stick to our plan. I’m proud of our guys.” Meanwhile, the Hornets overcame prior struggles and mechanical issues to keep the game competitive.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue also noted the importance of the win, emphasizing how facing underdogs can be challenging, saying, “Our guys did what we needed when it mattered. Those wins build confidence as we move forward.”
Following this game, the Clippers improved to 28-20 and will visit Toronto next. The continued success over Charlotte reflects their strategy and execution, enjoying significant contributions from their stars.
This matchup not only served as another feather in the Clippers' cap but also highlighted the potential remaining for the Hornets to grow through this season.