Clippers Crush Kings 131-90 as Kawhi Leonard Lights Up Crypto.com Arena
Kawhi Leonard’s 25 points power the LA Clippers to a 131-90 demolition of the Kings while LeBron’s birthday ends in a Laker loss.
Leonard's 25-Point Burst Turns Game Into Rout
LOS ANGELES — The Clippers needed only three quarters to turn Monday night into a statement. Kawhi Leonard dissected Sacramento’s defense with surgical precision, finishing 9-for-12 from the field and burying four triples on his way to 25 points before the fourth quarter began as a formality.
Bench Mob Keeps Foot on Gas
Every active Clipper scored. Norman Powell added 20 off the pine, while Terance Mann flirted with a triple-double, dishing out nine assists to go with 15 points. The 41-point margin is the largest for the franchise since the team moved south from San Diego.
“When we share it like that, we’re scary,” Leonard said in a calm post-game presser, towel still draped over his shoulders. “Tonight was fun. We kept it simple.”
Kings Left Searching for Answers
Sacramento’s high-octane attack misfired all evening. De’Aaron Fox shot 4-for-15; Domantas Sabonis managed just 10 points against a rotating wall of Clipper bigs. The Kings never led after the 7:12 mark of the first quarter and finished with a season-low 90 points.
Lakers Loss Overshadows Birthday Milestone
Across town, LeBron James turned 41 but left Crypto.com’s other locker room without celebration, his Lakers falling to the Pelicans 126-108. The contrast only amplifies the buzz around a Clipper squad that has now won eight of nine.
What This Means for the Standings
- Clippers climb within a half-game of Denver for the West’s two-seed.
- Kings drop to seventh, tied with surging Phoenix.
- Head-to-head tiebreaker now belongs firmly to L.A.
Next up for the Clippers: a Thursday showdown in Denver that could decide seeding supremacy. If Kawhi keeps orchestrating symphonies like Monday’s, the Western Conference may be forced to take notes.