Inglewood, Calif. — In a closely contested matchup, Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beating hook shot clinched a thrilling 111-110 overtime victory for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. The win bolstered the Clippers’ hold on the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.
With 21.6 seconds left in the overtime period, Leonard dribbled with precision to the top of the key and allowed the clock to wind down. Navigating through defenders in the lane, he executed a decisive move, and the ball danced on the rim before dropping in. Leonard concluded the game with a solid 17-point contribution.
James Harden was instrumental for the Clippers, posting 29 points along with nine rebounds and 11 assists, as they secured their third consecutive victory. Ivica Zubac added to the effort with 22 points and 14 rebounds, emphasizing the team’s inside dominance.
For the Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan led the charge with 31 points and 10 assists, while Zach LaVine contributed 30 points. However, the ninth-place Kings fell to 0-3 against the Clippers this season. Jonas Valanciunas was a force on the boards with 17 rebounds.
In a dramatic regulation wind-up, Harden connected on a pivotal jumper in the lane, tying the game 97-97 with 11.9 seconds left. LaVine’s attempt at a game-winning jumper narrowly missed, pushing the contest into a five-minute overtime.
Despite a seven-point advantage with 1:40 remaining in regulation, the Kings could not hold off the Clippers’ surge. DeRozan and LaVine delivered all 13 of Sacramento’s points during overtime; however, it wasn’t enough.
Key Takeaways:
For the Kings, their resilience shines through even amid the absence of key players Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk. Meanwhile, the Clippers had to adjust without coach Tyronn Lue, who left due to back pain and was replaced by assistant Brian Shaw.
In critical moments, the Clippers edged out the Kings 14-13 in overtime, highlighted by Derrick Jones Jr.’s consecutive baskets, including a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer after DeRozan’s tying score at 104.
The game also spotlighted a pivotal shooting statistic — LaVine, who was previously shooting 62% from the 3-point line over six games, missed all six attempts in regulation before making one in overtime. The Kings struggled as a team from long distance, finishing 9 for 34, while the Clippers weren’t much more efficient, going 10 of 31.
Looking ahead, the Kings are set to host the New York Knicks on Monday, while the Clippers will embark on a three-game Eastern road trip, starting with a visit to New Orleans on Tuesday.
