The Los Angeles Clippers gained back-to-back video games in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks for his or her their fourth win in a row and 14th of their final 17. That may be the headliner if it wasn’t for a lot of particular person feats completed by James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and — most significantly — Kawhi Leonard.
The win additionally put the Clippers one step nearer to their purpose of a top-six seed with only one week remaining within the NBA’s common season.
Kawhi Leonard reacts to taking part in first again to again since March 2024
The Clippers defeated the Mavericks on Saturday evening, 135-104, for his or her second win in opposition to Dallas in as many nights. The sport marked a major stepping stone for Kawhi Leonard, who performed in each halves of the back-to-back set.
Leonard performed 23 minutes and 44 seconds within the first evening’s win after which 25 minutes and 20 seconds within the second evening’s win over the Mavs.
In keeping with head coach Tyronn Lue, Leonard had been pushing the group’s medical employees to permit him to play in back-to-back units for fairly a while.
“He’s been eager to do it, and we simply wished to ensure it was proper,” Lue stated Saturday. “[The] medical [staff] wished to ensure they checked each field and ensure we put him in the perfect place. We didn’t need to danger something. Kawhi’s been making an attempt to do it for a while now, taking part in in back-to-backs, however our medical employees was actually cautious and ensuring that every thing was proper.”
After assembly with the employees on Saturday morning, Leonard suited up, scored 29 factors on an ultra-efficient 12-of-19 capturing from the sector, and helped his Clippers to a different win regardless of going through a minutes restriction.
“It was nearly listening to [the medical staff], about their eventualities and the way they calculate issues,” Kawhi Leonard stated concerning the determination to play. “After which me simply listening, not making an attempt to be a brilliant hero. I am simply making an attempt to remain wholesome, actually. That is my primary purpose, like I’ve all the time stated, for this yr. It is popping out of this yr wholesome.”
“The boldness is all the time there once I step on the ground and every thing has been going nicely. We had discussions, all of us thought it was time to play.”
James Harden recorded a double-double with 29 factors, 14 assists, and 7 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. It was the nineteenth sport of Harden’s profession the place he completed with not less than 29 factors, 14 assists, and 7 rebounds, which is the third-most in NBA historical past such video games behind solely Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.
Sharing the ground with Leonard has been nothing new for Harden, however taking part in in each halves of the back-to-back set is one thing Leonard hadn’t carried out since March of the Clippers’ 2023-24 season.
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“He is been taking part in nice ever since he is been again,” Harden stated of Leonard. “It took him a pair video games to shake the rust off, however apart from that, he is been trying like Kawhi, so tonight was no completely different. Kawhi is Kawhi. It is on him to construct that confidence in himself to go on the market and play back-to-backs and play 40 minutes.
“He feels it, he is aware of his physique, and tonight, he knew how necessary this sport was for us and he wished to go on the market and play on a back-to-back and he did that. We fed off the vitality that he was bringing, the factors he was scoring, and the defensive depth he has.”
Ivica Zubac additionally had a historic evening, turning into the primary participant to file a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double with no turnovers or misses (from the sector or free throw line).
“I knew I didn’t have any misses, however I didn’t know nobody ever did it earlier than,” the Clippers heart responded when requested concerning the feat. “It’s enjoyable, man. Going on the market and competing each evening, teammates on the lookout for me, trusting me with the ball, throwing it to me, and we’re successful too. It’s been numerous enjoyable recently.”
Like Harden, Zubac was additionally ecstatic to see Leonard on the ground for an enormous April sport in a back-to-back setting.
“He regarded nice. He is been trying nice the previous few months. He is trying just like the Kawhi that we all know. He is doing stuff that we all know he can, he is main us, he is a foul dude on the court docket on each side of the ground. I used to be joyful to see him play a back-to-back. It has been a protracted journey for him, however he labored his tail off and it is good to see him taking part in back-to-backs.”
Getting into Monday, the Clippers (46-32) are the fifth seed and tied within the loss column with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies.
The LA Clippers moved all the best way as much as the fifth seed and are tied within the loss column with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies.
One week left 🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/A2R4b1PCUf
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 7, 2025
The Clippers’ ultimate 4 video games of the season are at house in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets in addition to on the highway in opposition to the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. At this stage, each sport is a must-win, however the ultimate sport of the season in opposition to the Warriors will probably determine whether or not the Clippers are a top-six seed or a play-in group.