Clippers hold off Kings 101-100 to remain tied with Nuggets for No. 4 in tight Western Conference
Clippers hold off Kings 101-100 to remain tied with Nuggets for No. 4 in tight Western Conference
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a 3-point basket the buzzer during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots at the buzzer against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a 3-point basket the buzzer during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots at the buzzer against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks past Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — James Harden had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and the Los Angeles Clippers held off a late flurry in the final two minutes and beat the Sacramento Kings 101-100 on Friday night.
Ivica Zubic had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, and Norman Powell added 16 points.
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With one regular-season game remaining the Clippers are tied with the Denver Nuggets at 49-32 for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers led comfortably most of the game until the Kings surged in the fourth quarter and got within 100-98 with 1:04 minutes remaining. After Sacramento's Zach Lavine made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, the Kings stole the inbounds pass. But DeMar DeRozan's contested 3-point try at the buzzer clanged off the backboard.
DeRozan scored 16 points and moved past Reggie Miller into 25th place on the NBA's career scoring list.
LaVine had 26 points for the Kings, while Domantas Sabonis had 19 points and 16 rebounds.
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Sabonis became the sixth player since the ABA/NBA merger to have 60 or more double-doubles for three consecutive seasons, joining Moses Malone, John Stockton, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard.
Key moment
With the Kings trailing 84-80 in the fourth quarter, interim coach Doug Christie had to be restrained and picked up a technical foul after rookie Devin Carter was called for a defensive foul despite replays showing Harden's arm hitting Carter in the head.
Key stat
Leonard scored more points in the first half (20) than he did total in 13 of the previous 35 games that he played this season.
Up next
The Clippers play at Golden State on Sunday. The Kings host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
___
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