Leonard's 41-point game powers Clippers to a 128-108 victory over the Rockets

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Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, center, fights for position with Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, left, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reaches for a loose ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) — Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, center, fights for position with Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, left, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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1:05 AM on Wednesday, December 24

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 41 points and James Harden added 29 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Houston Rockets 128-108 on Tuesday night.

Leonard shot 16 for 23 from the field and 4 for 5 from long distance as the Clippers won consecutive games for just the second time this season. Los Angeles was coming off a 103-88 win over the Lakers on Saturday that snapped a five-game skid. The Clippers also won consecutive games Oct. 24-26, against Phoenix and Portland.

Harden, who shot 7 for 14 from the field and 3 for 8 from long distance, was helped by 12-for-13 shooting from the line.

John Collins and Kobe Sanders added 13 points apiece and Kris Dunn scored 11 for Los Angeles, which shot 54% (20 for 37) from 3-point range.

Kevin Durant scored 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and Alperen Sengun finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, which was 9 for 30 (30%) from long distance.

Amen Thompson added 19 points for Houston, and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16 for the Rockets, who have lost four of their last five games.

The Clippers, who trailed by six points after one period, outscored Houston 34-23 in the second and led 63-58 at the break. The Rockets were helped by 10-for-22 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. Leonard had 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the opening quarters and Harden scored 11.

Durant had 17 first-half points to lead the Rockets. Sengun scored 15 and Smith had 11.

The Clippers led 98-82 after three periods.

Up next

Rockets: At Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Clippers: At Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

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