By Tiffany Williams –
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard torched the Brooklyn Nets early and the LA Clippers never eased up, burying the Nets 126-89 at Intuit Dome in a game that was effectively over by halftime.
Leonard poured in 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting in just 25 minutes as Los Angeles blasted out to a 40-point lead and led for 96 percent of the night. The Clippers shot 56 percent overall and a blistering 48 percent from three, overwhelming a Nets team that never found rhythm on either end.
James Harden controlled the game without forcing it, finishing with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds. John Collins added 18 points, while Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. Los Angeles outscored Brooklyn 58-38 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 51-36, turning steady pressure into a runaway.
Brooklyn struggled from the opening tip, shooting 34 percent from the field and 21 percent from three. The Nets went just 9-for-43 beyond the arc and never mounted a serious push, trailing by double digits for nearly the entire contest.
Nic Claxton scored six points with six rebounds, while T. Mann had eight points and hit two threes, but no Nets player reached 15 points. Brooklyn’s bench offered brief sparks, but inefficient shooting and early turnovers kept the deficit growing.
The Clippers’ depth only widened the gap. Jordan Miller scored 16 off the bench, Kris Dunn chipped in defensively, and Los Angeles closed the night with eight players scoring at least eight points.
Brooklyn fell behind by as many as 40 and was held under 90 points as the Clippers cruised through the fourth quarter, turning the final minutes into a formality.