INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater propelled the Los Angeles Clippers to a thrilling 111-110 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, tightening their grip on eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
With mere seconds left on the clock, Leonard skillfully navigated through defenders, launching a left-handed hook shot which bounced off the rim before falling through as the clock expired. He ended the night with 17 points, helping the Clippers secure their third consecutive win.
On the opposing side, the Kings were dealt yet another setback, having failed to notch a win against the Clippers this season, leaving them 0-3 head-to-head. Despite missing key players Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk, Sacramento had initially led the game with aggressive plays.
James Harden was instrumental for the Clippers, recording 29 points along with nine rebounds and 11 assists, showcasing his versatility on the court. Ivica Zubac added 22 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to support the offense. Meanwhile, the Kings relied heavily on DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who together contributed 61 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists.
The game was tightly contested throughout, characterized by lead changes and tense moments, particularly late in regulation. The Kings looked poised for victory, leading by seven points with just 1:40 remaining, but saw their advantage evaporate as the Clippers surged back with seven unanswered points.
Harden's driving layup tied the game at 97-97, forcing overtime after LaVine's last-gasp effort missed the mark at the end of the fourth quarter. During the extra period, the Clippers outscored the Kings 14-13, with Derrick Jones Jr. providing key baskets, including a go-ahead three-pointer following DeRozan's tying shot.
Coach Tyronn Lue had to leave the game early due to back pain, with assistant Brian Shaw taking over coaching duties. This did not deter the Clippers, who managed to deliver under pressure.
For Sacramento, DeRozan finished with 31 points and 10 assists, continuing to be the leading figure on their offense, supported by LaVine's 30 points. LaVine was off to a rough start, missing all six of his three-point attempts during regulation before sinking one during overtime.
Looking at the shooting stats, the Kings struggled as they went 9 of 34 from three-point range. Conversely, the Clippers fared slightly worse, hitting 10 of their 31 attempts from beyond the arc.
Looking to regroup, the Kings will host the New York Knicks this Monday, March 10, 2025, hoping to turn their fortunes around. The Clippers, meanwhile, are set to head to New Orleans on Tuesday, March 11, for the start of their three-game road trip against Eastern Conference rivals.
This matchup highlighted both teams' resilience, but it was the Clippers who emerged clutch, proving once again their fighting spirit this season.