Kawhi Leonard Scores 24 as Clippers Edge Lakers

Clippers hold off late Lakers rally to win crosstown showdown

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the frenetic energy and movement of a high-stakes NBA basketball game, with the players' forms dissolving into dynamic brushstrokes.Kawhi Leonard's scoring heroics and the Clippers' late-game resilience against their crosstown rivals the Lakers showcase the passion and intensity of the NBA's most heated local rivalries.Inglewood Today

Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a tightly contested NBA matchup. The Clippers built a big lead in the first half and held on down the stretch despite a late Lakers rally sparked by Luka Doncic's 32-point, 11-rebound, 8-assist performance.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the ongoing rivalry between the two Los Angeles NBA franchises, with the Clippers continuing their strong recent play and the Lakers struggling to find consistency this season. Leonard's scoring streak also raises questions about whether his individual numbers mask some of the Clippers' team-wide issues earlier in the year.

The details

The Clippers jumped out to a 64-47 halftime lead, with Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac leading the way. The Lakers made a furious comeback in the second half, cutting the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter behind Doncic's heroics. But the Clippers answered with a 10-0 run to regain control, and they held on for the victory despite a late Lakers surge.

  • The game was played on Thursday, April 13, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
  • Kawhi Leonard's scoring streak reached 23 consecutive games with at least 20 points.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who has been on a remarkable scoring tear, averaging over 24 points per game this season.

Luka Doncic

The superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who had a standout performance in the loss, recording 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.

LeBron James

The legendary Lakers forward who struggled offensively, scoring just 4 points in the game.

James Harden

The veteran Clippers guard who contributed 18 points and 10 assists to the winning effort.

Ivica Zubac

The Clippers center who had an impressive double-double of 18 points and 19 rebounds.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Kawhi's scoring streak has been incredible to watch, but we all know the real goal is winning championships. As long as we keep getting wins, that's what matters most.”

— Paul George, Clippers Forward

“We've got to find a way to get more consistent. Luka did his part tonight, but we need more from our whole team if we want to turn this season around.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Lakers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to face the Dallas Mavericks, while the Clippers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday as they aim to extend their winning streak.

The takeaway

This thrilling crosstown rivalry game highlighted the Clippers' recent strong play led by Kawhi Leonard's scoring surge, as well as the Lakers' ongoing struggles to find consistency this season despite the efforts of stars like Luka Doncic.