James Harden delivered a clutch performance Friday night with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Sacramento Kings 101-100. Kawhi Leonard added 28 points, helping the Clippers win their seventh straight and keep pace with Denver for the No. 4 seed in the West.
Ivica Zubac chipped in 17 points and 10 boards, while Norman Powell contributed 16 off the bench. The win moved L.A. to 49-32, tied with the Nuggets heading into the final game of the regular season.
Kings Rally Late, But Clippers Survive
The Clippers led most of the night and entered the fourth quarter with a solid cushion. But the Kings came roaring back in the final minutes. Zach LaVine’s free throws pulled Sacramento within two points with 3.9 seconds left.
After the Kings stole the inbounds pass, DeMar DeRozan had a chance to steal the game with a deep three. His contested shot clanged off the backboard as the buzzer sounded, sealing the narrow win for Los Angeles.
DeRozan scored 16 points and passed Reggie Miller for 25th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Key Moment: Controversial Foul Sparks Technical
With the Kings down 84-80 in the fourth, Sacramento’s interim coach Doug Christie lost his cool. He had to be restrained and was hit with a technical foul after rookie Devin Carter got whistled for a foul on Harden—despite replay clearly showing Harden’s arm struck Carter in the head.
That moment shifted momentum back to the Clippers during the Kings’ comeback push.
Sabonis Hits Historic Milestone
Domantas Sabonis continued his dominant season with 19 points and 16 rebounds. He joined elite company, becoming just the sixth player since the ABA/NBA merger to record 60 or more double-doubles in three straight seasons. The others? Moses Malone, John Stockton, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard.
LaVine led Sacramento with 26 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
Leonard’s Fast Start Powers Clippers Early
Leonard was hot out of the gate, scoring 20 points in the first half alone. That total surpassed what he scored in 13 of his previous 35 games this season. His early explosion gave the Clippers a lead they never fully relinquished.
What’s Next: West Playoff Spots on the Line
The Clippers now face a massive season finale against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The outcome could decide who secures the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in the first round.
With momentum, star power, and seeding at stake, Los Angeles is looking more dangerous by the day. If they keep playing like this, the phrase Clippers hold off Kings might be just the beginning of a deeper playoff narrative.
