INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Clippers achieved a decisive 131-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, thanks in part to Norman Powell, who contributed 20 points, and Kawhi Leonard, who scored 12 in his season debut.
Leonard was sidelined for the Clippers’ first 34 games while recovering from a right knee injury, making his return in this match where he played 19 minutes. He successfully made 4 of 11 shots from the floor, including three shots from beyond the arc, and added three rebounds and one assist to his performance.
Ivica Zubac also played a significant role, contributing 18 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, helping the Clippers end a two-game losing streak. Amir Coffey added 17 points, further supporting the team’s offensive output.
On the other side, Trae Young led the Hawks with 20 points and provided 14 assists, while De’Andre Hunter scored 18 points. Atlanta’s loss marked their third consecutive defeat following a four-game winning streak.
The Clippers held a slim lead of 36-35 early in the second quarter before they surged ahead with an impressive 27-4 run, during which Coffey recorded nine of his 15 points.
In injury news for the Hawks, guard Jalen Johnson was unable to play due to right shoulder soreness, and Bogdan Bogdanovic was also excluded for injury management purposes. For the Clippers, Terance Mann made his return to the court and scored 12 points in 16 minutes, following a ten-game absence due to a broken middle finger.
A key moment in the game occurred when Leonard made a three-pointer on his first attempt from the left wing, tying the score at five with 9:57 left in the first quarter, despite being guarded by rookie Zaccharie Risacher.
A noteworthy statistic from the game highlights James Harden’s performance, as he recorded 13 assists in the first half alone, the highest by a Clippers player before halftime since the 1996-97 season, according to Sportradar. He concluded the game with 10 points and 15 assists.
Looking ahead, the Hawks are scheduled to face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night, while the Clippers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday evening.
