Los Angeles Clippers continued their strong run Wednesday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers 130–107 behind a big performance from Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard scored 29 points, including 20 in the first half, while Bennedict Mathurin added 23 points on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting night as the Clippers won their third straight game. Brook Lopez chipped in 17 points, and Darius Garland finished with 12 points in his first home appearance since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.
Indiana was led by Pascal Siakam, who scored 29 points in his return after missing three games with a left wrist sprain. But the Pacers dropped their seventh straight contest and fell to 15–47, the worst record in the Eastern Conference.
Jay Huff contributed 18 points for Indiana and knocked down four 3-pointers, while Jarace Walker added 17.
Los Angeles set the tone early, jumping out to a 42–25 lead after the first quarter. The Clippers carried a 63–51 advantage into halftime behind Leonard’s hot start.
The game broke open in the third quarter when Los Angeles used a 16–2 run to stretch a seven-point lead into a 21-point cushion, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Overall, the Clippers shot 55.1% from the field, significantly outperforming Indiana’s 42.9%.
In a historic moment late in the game, Norchad Omier recorded his first NBA basket, becoming the first player from Nicaragua to score in an NBA game, according to the Clippers.
Up next: The Pacers continue their road trip Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Clippers travel to face the San Antonio Spurs the same night.
