James Harden recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 101-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, April 11.
Ivica Zubac added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Norman Powell contributed 16 points to help the Clippers extend their win streak to seven games. With one game remaining in the regular season, the Clippers (49-32) are tied with the Denver Nuggets for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers led most of the game, but the Kings mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter and pulled within 100-98 with 1:04 remaining. After Zach LaVine made two free throws with 3.9 seconds left, the Kings stole the inbounds pass. However, DeMar DeRozan’s contested 3-pointer at the buzzer missed off the backboard.
LaVine finished with 26 points, and Domantas Sabonis posted a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Sabonis became the sixth player since the ABA/NBA merger to record 60 or more double-doubles in three consecutive seasons, joining Moses Malone, John Stockton, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard.
Tensions rose in the fourth quarter when Kings interim coach Doug Christie was restrained and given a technical foul after a controversial defensive foul call on rookie Devin Carter. Replays showed Harden's arm hitting Carter in the head.
Leonard’s strong first half (20 points) marked more than he had in 13 of his previous 35 games this season.
The Clippers will play at Golden State on Sunday, while the Kings will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
