Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 117-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. The Clippers, missing James Harden for personal reasons, dominated rebounding and paint scoring in the win. Phoenix struggled without injured stars Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
The Los Angeles Clippers rebounded from a Friday loss at Denver with a decisive 117-93 rout of the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix on Sunday night. Kawhi Leonard, snubbed from the Western Conference All-Star reserves announced earlier that day, tallied 25 points and eight rebounds, marking his 27th straight game with at least 20 points.
Without guard James Harden, who sat out for personal reasons, the Clippers relied on interior dominance. Ivica Zubac notched 20 rebounds and 14 points, helping Los Angeles outrebound Phoenix 63-35 and outscore the Suns 64-18 in the paint. Jordan Miller contributed 20 points, John Collins added 16, and Kobe Sanders, starting in Harden's absence, scored 12. The Clippers shot 51.8% from the field overall.
Phoenix, coming off three straight wins and holding a 15-7 record since December 21, faltered offensively. Grayson Allen paced the Suns with 23 points and eight assists, while Dillon Brooks added 22. Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin each finished with 12 points, but the team shot just 33.3% and was held under 100 points for the sixth time in 50 games this season.
The Suns were further depleted by injuries: Devin Booker missed the game with a right ankle sprain—despite earning his fifth All-Star reserve nod—and Jalen Green sat out due to a right hamstring and left hip issue.
Since opening the season 6-21, the Clippers have won 17 of 21 games, improving to two games under .500. The teams split their season series 2-2. Los Angeles hosts Philadelphia on Monday night, while Phoenix visits Portland on Tuesday.
