Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard, left, steals the ball from Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Younger in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball recreation Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photograph/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
INGLEWOOD, California — Norman Powell scored 20 factors, Kawhi Leonard added 12 in his first recreation of the season and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 131-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night time.
Leonard, who missed the Clippers’ first 34 video games with what the crew described as proper knee harm restoration, performed 19 minutes. He was 4 of 11 from the ground, together with three 3-pointers, together with three rebounds and one help.
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Ivica Zubac had 18 factors and 18 rebounds because the Clippers snapped a two-game shedding streak. Amir Coffey had 17 factors.
READ: NBA: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard out indefinitely with knee harm
WELCOME BACK, KAWHI LEONARD.
📺 ATL/LAC on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/69amdp23ZV
— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2025
Trae Younger led Atlanta with 20 factors and 14 assists. De’Andre Hunter had 18 factors for the Hawks who’ve dropped their final three after successful 4 straight.
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The Clippers had a 36-35 benefit early within the second quarter earlier than breaking it open with a 27-4 run, with Coffey scoring 9 of his 15 factors within the interval.
Takeaways
Hawks: Guard Jalen Johnson didn’t play as a consequence of proper shoulder soreness. Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic additionally didn’t play as a consequence of harm administration.
Clippers: Terance Mann additionally returned to the lineup and scored 12 factors in 16 minutes. Mann missed 10 video games as a consequence of a damaged center finger on his left hand.
READ: NBA: Kawhi Leonard will miss remainder of Clippers’ preseason
Key second
Leonard hit a 3-pointer on his first shot from the left wing with 9:57 remaining within the first quarter to tie it at 5-all. Leonard was guarded by Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher, however acquired the shot off.
Key stat
James Harden’s 13 assists within the first half had been probably the most by a Clippers participant earlier than halftime going again to 1996-97, based on Sportradar. He has had 14 assists within the first half twice in his 15-year profession. Harden completed with 10 factors and 15 assists.
Up subsequent
The Hawks are at Utah on Tuesday night time whereas the Clippers are at Minnesota on Monday night time.
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