The Los Angeles Clippers reminded fans why they can’t be counted out this season. With Kawhi Leonard leading the charge, their offense caught fire and left Milwaukee searching for answers, Yankee Scores reports.
Leonard Sparks Clippers’ Surge
Kawhi Leonard poured in 28 points in just 25 minutes, shaking off a slow start to dominate the second quarter with 16 points. “We wanted to set the tone early,” Leonard said after the game, and the Clippers did exactly that. They hit 17 of 38 from deep, including an electrifying 7-for-12 stretch in the first half that fueled a 43-point second quarter.
Lopez Joins the Party
Even Brook Lopez got in on the long-range barrage, drilling 4 of 5 threes in the third quarter. His 19 points added to the Clippers’ relentless attack, while Darius Garland chipped in 15 points and six assists. The team’s perfect 18-for-18 performance at the free-throw line underscored their efficiency.
Bucks Struggle Without Giannis
Milwaukee, still missing Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a left knee injury, couldn’t keep pace. Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 20 points off the bench, while Ryan Rollins added 13 as the top starter. Despite five players scoring in double figures, the Bucks have now dropped 10 of their last 14 games, including three of four since sitting their superstar.
Clippers Back to .500
The victory pushed Los Angeles back to .500 with 10 games left in the regular season, a remarkable turnaround from their 6-21 record in December. Leonard, in his 14th season, is averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game, keeping the Clippers firmly in the play-in picture.
What’s Next
The Bucks will try to regroup when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. With Giannis still sidelined, the team must find a way to regain momentum before the postseason slips further out of reach.
Meanwhile, the Clippers will look to build on their hot shooting when they host the Toronto Raptors. Riding back-to-back wins, they aim to keep climbing the standings and solidify their spot in the play-in tournament.
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