The Los Angeles Clippers continued their mid season resurgence on Friday night, December 26, 2025, delivering a commanding performance to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-103. In a game that showcased the depth and veteran poise of the Clippers' roster, it was the backcourt brilliance of James Harden and a career high shooting display from center Brook Lopez that paved the way for victory. The win marks the third consecutive triumph for Los Angeles, their longest winning streak of the season, and moves them closer to a play in tournament spot in the competitive Western Conference.

Playing in front of a sellout crowd at the Moda Center, the Clippers were forced to overcome a sluggish start. Portland, led by a versatile performance from Deni Avdija, jumped out to an early 10 point lead in the first quarter. Avdija, who has emerged as a cornerstone for the rebuilding Blazers, finished the night with 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. However, the Trail Blazers' momentum stalled in the second half as the Clippers’ defense tightened and their perimeter shooting exploded.

Brook Lopez Makes History

The story of the night was undoubtedly Brook Lopez. The veteran center, often known for his rim protection, turned into a flamethrower from beyond the arc. Lopez finished with 31 points and connected on a career high nine 3-pointers, many of which came during a pivotal stretch in the third quarter. His ability to stretch the floor forced Portland’s rookie center Donovan Clingan out of the paint, opening up lanes for James Harden and Kawhi Leonard to attack.

Lopez’s ninth triple of the night capped off a 19-1 run in the third quarter that saw Los Angeles erase a double digit deficit and take a lead they would never relinquish. The Blazers struggled to find an answer for the "Splash Mountain" effect, as Lopez consistently found open space on the perimeter while his teammates drew the attention of the defense.

Harden and Leonard Close the Door

While Lopez provided the long distance fireworks, James Harden acted as the game’s master orchestrator. Harden finished with a team high 34 points and added six assists, repeatedly drawing fouls and converting 11 of his 12 free throw attempts. His veteran savvy was on full display in the fourth quarter, where he slowed the tempo and made the right reads to prevent any Portland comeback attempt.

Kawhi Leonard also played a vital role, particularly in the closing minutes. After a quiet first half, Leonard exploded for 18 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. He added eight rebounds and six assists to his stat line, but his most memorable contribution was a ferocious "poster" dunk over the 7 foot 2 Clingan that put an exclamation point on the victory. Leonard’s defensive activity was equally impressive, recording three steals and providing the physical presence needed to shut down Portland’s transition game.

Defensive Turnaround and Second Half Dominance

The Clippers' second half performance was a masterclass in modern NBA basketball. They outscored the Trail Blazers 63-41 over the final two quarters, a turnaround fueled by high intensity defense and efficient shot making. The bench also provided a necessary spark, with Kobe Sanders hitting a timely 3 pointer and John Collins contributing eight points and three rebounds in limited minutes.

For the Trail Blazers, the loss highlights the growing pains of a young roster. Despite the strong play from Avdija and a double double from Donovan Clingan, Portland committed 14 turnovers and struggled with perimeter defense. Acting head coach Tiago Splitter, standing in for Chauncey Billups, was called for a technical foul during the Clippers' decisive third quarter run, a moment that seemed to symbolize the team’s frustration as the game slipped away.

With this victory, the Clippers improve to 9-21, a record that belies how well they have played over the last week. The return to health for key veterans and the integration of Brook Lopez into the offensive system have transformed the team into a dangerous opponent. Los Angeles will look to make it four in a row when they return home to host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

The Trail Blazers, now 12-19, will have little time to regroup as they prepare to host the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics on Sunday. Portland will need to find more consistency in their half court defense if they hope to snap their current skid and stay in the postseason hunt.