INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Kawhi Leonard's hook shot at the buzzer lifted the Los Angeles Clippers over the Sacramento Kings 111-110 in overtime on Sunday night, tightening their grip on eighth place in the Western Conference standings.
With just 21.6 seconds remaining on the clock, Leonard dribbled to the top of the key, letting time slip away as he maneuvered through defenders. His winning shot kissed the backboard and spun around the rim before finally dropping through the net, giving the Clippers their third consecutive win.
Leonard, who had been struggling throughout the game and finished with only 17 points, scored his only basket of the overtime period when it counted the most. After the game, he showcased his trademark humility, stating, "Just grateful we got the win. Happy the ball went in. That’s it, really." His teammate, James Harden, echoed Leonard's contributions to the team, saying, "Players make big-time plays and he's done it throughout his entire career. For him to step up and hit a game winner like this shows the confidence he possesses as a player.”
Harden led the Clippers with 29 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, reflecting the strength and depth of the team, especially with Norman Powell still sidelined by injury. Ivica Zubac contributed significantly as well, posting 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
On the opposing side, the Kings were led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who scored 31 and 30 points, respectively. Despite their impressive performances, the Kings fell to 0-3 against the Clippers this season and dropped to ninth place, now 1.5 games behind.
The game was marked by tension and excitement, featuring 23 lead changes throughout. The Kings appeared primed for victory, having built a seven-point lead with just 1:40 remaining in regulation. The Clippers, fueled by their competitive spirit and urgency for postseason positioning, clawed back. Harden's jumper with just 11.9 seconds left tied the game at 97-97, forcing overtime as LaVine missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
During the overtime, the two teams continued their back-and-forth battle. DeRozan's free throws gave the Kings their final lead at 105-104, but the Clippers responded with key plays from Derrick Jones Jr., who hit a go-ahead three-pointer after the score was knotted at 104. LA outpaced Sacramento 14-13 during the extra period, showcasing their determination to secure the eighth seed.
Coach Tyronn Lue was unable to lead the team from the bench due to back pain, leaving assistant Brian Shaw to manage the game. After the thrilling conclusion, Shaw shared his thoughts, noting, "I expected the [Kings] felt like the ball was going to go to James and he was going to make the play for us down the end... I played the odds by believing the next one would go in for Kawhi.”
Leonard's buzzer-beater marked only the second game-winning shot of his career, reminiscent of his iconic 2019 playoff moment when he sunk a last-second shot against the Philadelphia 76ers. He articulated his mindset during those tense final moments of the game: "Just be patient. Even with 5 seconds on the clock or 3 seconds, you still got time to get the shot off. Just trust your work.”
Despite the win, both teams must continue to push, with the Clippers only just now grasping the playoff picture. They sit at 34-28, with their next challenge coming against the New Orleans Pelicans, offered on March 11. Meanwhile, the Kings will host the New York Knicks the following day, striving to regain momentum and positioning for the playoff race.
Stats indicate both teams faced struggles from the long-range arc, with the Kings making only 9 of their 34 attempts and the Clippers slightly behind at 10 of 31 from the three-point line. Yet, during the most pressurized moments, Leonard's shot proved to be the decider. The victorious atmosphere for the Clippers reflects their current determination to solidify their playoff prospects as the regular season draws to its conclusions.
Kawhi Leonard, whose return to form seems promising, embraces game-winning moments like these as stepping stones to regain dominance on the court. "We need these wins down the stretch," he said, emphasizing the importance of each game moving forward. The Clippers, amid challenges this season, are gradually finding their rhythm, and Leonard's clutch performance may well be the turning point they needed.