Clippers rally late to defeat Mavericks

Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland lead Clippers to crucial play-in tournament win

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the players' movements and the ebb and flow of the contest.The Clippers' second-half surge overcame an early Mavericks lead in this crucial Western Conference matchup.Inglewood Today

The Los Angeles Clippers overcame an early deficit to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 116-103 on Tuesday night. Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and Darius Garland added 22 as the Clippers improved their positioning in the NBA play-in tournament.

Why it matters

This win was crucial for the Clippers as they jockey for position in the crowded Western Conference play-in race. The Mavericks, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

The details

The Clippers fell behind early but rallied in the second half, outscoring the Mavericks 64-49 over the final two quarters to secure the victory. Leonard and Garland led the way offensively, while the Clippers' defense tightened up in the second half to slow down the Mavericks' attack.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star forward scored a game-high 34 points to lead his team to victory.

Darius Garland

The Clippers' point guard added 22 points and helped orchestrate the team's second-half comeback.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks were unable to hold onto their early lead, falling to the Clippers in this crucial Western Conference matchup.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers rallied from an early deficit to pick up a crucial win that improves their positioning in the NBA play-in tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to lock in defensively in the second half to get this win. The guys really stepped up when it mattered most.”

— Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Forward

What’s next

The Clippers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a play-in tournament spot, while the Mavericks will try to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This was a hard-fought victory for the Clippers, who showed their resilience by rallying from an early deficit to defeat a tough Mavericks team. The win keeps the Clippers in the thick of the Western Conference play-in race.