Kawhi Leonard achieved his second career triple-double by scoring 25 points, helping the Clippers secure their third consecutive win with a 127-116 victory over the Lakers at home on Tuesday.
Kawhi Leonard recorded 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while James Harden contributed 23 points and 10 assists for the Clippers. Paul George, Terance Mann, and Norman Powell each scored 17 points, and Russell Westbrook had 16 points as Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers secured their sixth win in seven games, improving to 20-4 since the beginning of December. One of their losses was against the Lakers on Jan. 7. Harden has achieved at least 20 points in consecutive games for the third time since joining the Clippers on Nov. 6, and the first time since Dec. 2 and Dec. 6.
Kawhi Leonard’s only other triple-double was on Jan. 24, 2020, when he scored 33 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and provided 10 assists in a Clippers victory against Miami. D’Angelo Russell contributed 27 points and 10 assists, and Anthony Davis paired 26 points with 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who were missing LeBron James due to left ankle soreness. The Lakers have a 5-6 record in a stretch where they are playing 11 of 12 games in Los Angeles. Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves each scored 12 points, while Taurean Prince and Rui Hachimura added 11 points each for the Lakers, who have an 8-14 record since winning the NBA in-season tournament in early December.
CJ McCollum led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 153-124 victory over the Utah Jazz with 33 points, setting a new franchise record for points scored. The previous record was set in a 149-129 win over the Sacramento Kings in 2018. Herbert Jones Jr. contributed 22 points, Brandon Ingram added 18, Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Zion Williamson achieved 17 points and a career-high 11 assists. The Pelicans also set a new franchise record with 41 assists.
On the other hand, Collin Sexton scored 22, Simone Fontecchio had 18, and John Collins scored 14 for the Jazz, who suffered their third consecutive loss after a six-game winning streak. The Pelicans have been alternating wins and losses for the past seven games.
Jalen Williams hit a last-second jump shot to secure a victory for Oklahoma City against Portland. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 33 points and 10 assists, but had difficulty with his shooting, making 10 of 24 attempts. Portland only scored 43 points in the second half, resulting in their sixth loss in the last eight games. Scoot Henderson contributed 19 points for Portland as a substitute.
Nikola Jokic recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Jamal Murray also contributed 31 points as Denver emerged victorious in Indianapolis, spoiling Pascal Siakam’s first home game with the Indiana team. Jokic’s triple-double marked his 13th of the season. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 14 points and Reggie Jackson scored 13 off the bench for Denver, which has secured three consecutive road wins. Siakam, who joined Indiana from the Toronto Raptors, finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 22 points, and T.J. McConnell scored 17.
Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle both scored 30 points in a game where New York rallied to defeat Brooklyn. Randle’s go-ahead dunk with one minute left secured the victory for the Knicks, who were down by nine points going into the fourth quarter. The win marked New York’s fourth consecutive victory. Despite Mikal Bridges’ career-high seven 3-pointers and 36 points, he was limited to three points in the fourth quarter as the struggling Nets suffered their 11th loss in 13 games.
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