Kawhi Leonard leads Clippers to 138-109 win over Kings

Clippers improve playoff positioning with victory over struggling Kings

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:26am

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Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 138-109 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. The Clippers raced out to an early double-digit lead and coasted to the victory, which moved them into a tie for eighth place in the Western Conference standings with four games left in the regular season.

Why it matters

The win was crucial for the Clippers' playoff positioning, as they look to secure a spot in the play-in tournament. The Kings, meanwhile, remain in a tie for the fourth-worst record in the NBA, continuing their disappointing season.

The details

Leonard scored 13 of his 26 points in the first quarter to help the Clippers jump out to an early lead. John Collins added 25 points, while Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each had 17 for Los Angeles. For the Kings, Devin Carter scored 21 points and Nique Clifford had 18, but they couldn't keep up with the Clippers' offensive onslaught.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who scored 26 points in the win.

John Collins

A forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who scored 25 points in the game.

Devin Carter

A guard for the Sacramento Kings who scored a team-high 21 points in the loss.

Nique Clifford

A guard for the Sacramento Kings who scored 18 points in the defeat.

Doug Christie

The head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

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What’s next

The Clippers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, while the Kings will visit the Golden State Warriors on the same night.

The takeaway

The Clippers' victory over the struggling Kings was an important step in their quest to secure a spot in the NBA's play-in tournament, as they look to extend their season and make a push for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Kings' disappointing campaign continues, as they remain tied for the fourth-worst record in the league.