Leonard scores 33 as Clippers top Wizards to win fourth straight

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Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, center, shoots past Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) — Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, center, shoots past Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

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1:09 AM on Thursday, January 15

By DOUG PADILLA

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 points as the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to four games with a 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 16 points and Jordan Miller added 11 points with 10 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 11-2 since Dec. 20 after starting the season 6-21.

The victory came without starting center Ivica Zubac (ankle) and starting forward John Collins (groin), while Leonard (ankle) was on a minutes restriction. Leonard finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range in 30 minutes.

Kyshawn George scored 23 points and Khris Middleton added 17 for the Wizards who lost their fourth consecutive game and fell to 0-2 on a four-game road trip.

Marvin Bagley III scored 15 points with 11 rebounds for Washington, which remained short-handed after CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert were traded Friday and new addition Trae Young (knee, quad) remains out. Young will be reevaluated after the All-Star break.

The Wizards were further depleted when center Alex Sarr was ejected with 1:45 remaining before halftime after receiving his second technical foul of the game.

The Clippers led 37-22 after one quarter and were up by 20 at 54-34 with 6:47 remaining in the first half. Los Angeles led by 24 in the first half before settling into a 70-51 lead at halftime.

The Wizards went on a 30-13 run to open the second half and pull within 83-81 with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Clippers pushed their advantage to 96-89 to start the fourth quarter.

Leonard scored 11 consecutive points for the Clippers early in the fourth quarter with his 3-pointer with 6:14 remaining giving Los Angeles a 110-95 lead.

Up next

Wizards: At Sacramento on Friday night.

Clippers: At Toronto on Friday night.

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