Intuit Dome Dominance: Kawhi Leonard and James Harden Lead Clippers Rout of Sacramento
The Los Angeles Clippers extended their season-best winning streak to five games on Tuesday night with a devastating 131-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings. In front of a sellout crowd at the Intuit Dome, Kawhi Leonard continued his scorching run of form, scoring a game high 33 points to lead a balanced Clippers attack. The victory was never in doubt as Los Angeles built a 36 point lead in the first half, ultimately securing their largest margin of victory this season. For a team that struggled with injuries and consistency in the opening months of 2025, this current run has signaled a major turning point in their campaign.
The "Klaw" Dominates Early
Kawhi Leonard entered Tuesday’s matchup fresh off a career high 55 point performance against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. While he didn't reach those historic heights against Sacramento, he was nearly as efficient, scoring 26 of his 33 points in the first half. Leonard’s ability to manipulate the Kings' defense allowed him to find easy shots at the rim and from mid range, where he has been nearly automatic during this five game stretch. Over his last five outings, Leonard is averaging a staggering 37.8 points per game, a run that earned him the Western Conference Player of the Week honors just a day earlier.
The Clippers' offensive rhythm was fueled by Leonard’s gravity, which opened up lanes for the rest of the roster. James Harden contributed 21 points and orchestrated the offense with his usual poise, ensuring that the ball never stuck. The Clippers shot 51.1% from the field as a team and committed only four turnovers the entire night. This level of discipline and execution has been the hallmark of their current winning streak, which coincidentally began the same night center Ivica Zubac was sidelined with a long term ankle injury.
Depth and Defensive Intensity
While the stars led the way, the Clippers' supporting cast played a vital role in the blowout. John Collins and rookie center Yanic Konan Niederhauser each added 16 points, with Niederhauser showing flashes of elite rim protection that has helped stabilize the defense in Zubac's absence. Brook Lopez, who was recently promoted to the starting lineup, also provided a defensive anchor, contesting shots and allowing the Clippers to force Sacramento into 19 turnovers. Los Angeles turned those mistakes into 28 points, a disparity that completely demoralized the scuffling Kings.
For Sacramento, the loss marks their fifth consecutive road defeat as they continue to slide down the Western Conference standings. Rookie Nique Clifford led the Kings with 18 points, and Russell Westbrook chipped in 12 points and 4 assists against his former team, but the lack of interior size was glaring. Without Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine in the lineup, the Kings struggled to find a consistent secondary scoring option or anyone capable of slowing down the Clippers' perimeter stars.
The Turnaround in Inglewood
The Clippers' resurgence is one of the most surprising storylines as 2025 comes to an end. After winning only six games in the first nine weeks of the season, they have now rolled off five dominant victories, all by at least 13 points. The synergy between Leonard, Harden, and the new additions like Collins has finally clicked, transforming the Clippers from a struggling veteran squad into a legitimate threat in the Pacific Division. With a record now sitting at 11-21, they are still digging out of an early hole, but the quality of their play suggests they are much better than their sub-.500 record indicates.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will look to extend their streak to six games when they host the Utah Jazz on Thursday. The Kings, meanwhile, head home for a difficult matchup against the Boston Celtics. As the NBA calendar flips to January 2026, all eyes remain on Kawhi Leonard. If "The Klaw" can maintain this elite level of health and production, the Clippers may well be the "team nobody wants to face" in the second half of the season.