The Los Angeles Clippers pulled off one of their most dramatic comebacks of the season Friday night, erasing a 24-point deficit and stunning the Indiana Pacers 114-113 on a clutch jumper from Kawhi Leonard with just 0.4 seconds remaining.
Leonard delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 28 points and extending his streak to 50 consecutive games with at least 20 points. Darius Garland led the Clippers in scoring with 30, helping fuel a second-half rally that turned the game on its head.
Indiana came out firing, overwhelming Los Angeles early with scorching perimeter shooting. The Pacers knocked down 8 of 11 from beyond the arc in the first quarter to build a commanding 42-21 lead, and stretched it to 45-21 early in the second. But the Clippers regrouped and steadily chipped away, eventually completing the comeback to secure their fourth straight win—and the 400th career victory for head coach Tyronn Lue.
The final minute was pure chaos. Obi Toppin put Indiana ahead 113-108 with just over a minute left, but Leonard responded with a jumper. Garland followed with two clutch free throws, and after a miss from Pascal Siakam, the Clippers had one last chance. Leonard took the inbound, dribbled to the middle, and calmly rose for the game-winner.
Indiana still had a chance after a late foul by Brook Lopez on the ensuing inbound, but Jay Huff—an 83.7% free-throw shooter—missed both attempts, sealing the Pacers’ fate.
Aaron Nesmith led Indiana with 26 points, while Toppin added 20. Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 17, going an efficient 12-for-15 from the line. The Pacers have now dropped two straight after previously snapping a 16-game winning streak, and also lost Jarace Walker to a possible concussion in the first half.
Up next: the Clippers head to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, while the Pacers return home to host the Miami Heat.
