Clippers Claw Back to Playoff Contention with Kawhi Leonard's Historic Resurgence

After a dismal start, the Los Angeles Clippers have become the first team in NBA history to recover from being 15 games below .500 and climb back above .500 in the same season.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Los Angeles Clippers, who were 6-21 and 15 games below .500 earlier this season, have fought their way back to a 33-32 record, becoming the first team in NBA history to accomplish such a feat. Led by the dominant play of Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game, the Clippers have won six of their last seven games and now sit in eighth place in the Western Conference. The addition of Darius Garland at the trade deadline has also provided a boost, as the Clippers have outscored opponents by 40 points in the 77 minutes Leonard and Garland have played together.

Why it matters

The Clippers' remarkable turnaround has defied NBA history and made them a potential threat in the playoffs, despite their early-season struggles. Kawhi Leonard's resurgence as an MVP-caliber player has been a key factor, and the team's ability to rebound from such a deep hole could inspire hope for other struggling franchises. This story also highlights the importance of roster moves and player development in the NBA, as the Clippers' trade deadline acquisitions have helped propel their late-season surge.

The details

The Clippers' 153-128 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday marked the first time in NBA history that a team had climbed back above .500 after falling 15 games below that mark earlier in the season. The Clippers' 6-21 start was marred by injuries, a salary cap investigation, and the near-immediate end of Chris Paul's return to the franchise. However, the team has turned things around since mid-December, going 27-11 and outscoring opponents by 9.4 points per 100 possessions since the trade deadline. Kawhi Leonard has been the driving force, averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game and shooting at an incredibly efficient clip.

  • The Clippers were 6-21 and 15 games below .500 in mid-December.
  • The Clippers reached a 33-32 record with their win over the Timberwolves on March 13, 2026.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A 14-year NBA veteran and perennial All-Star who is averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game this season for the Clippers.

Darius Garland

A 26-year-old All-Star point guard acquired by the Clippers at the trade deadline, who has provided a boost to the team's offense with his high-volume and high-accuracy 3-point shooting and elite pick-and-roll playmaking.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In all honesty, Kawhi might be one of the best players to ever play the game when he's healthy. I think a lot of his peers feel the same way about him. If he's healthy, 100%, ain't no stopping Kawhi. So I mean, you gotta deal with it. And he dealt it to us tonight. Again.”

— Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves Superstar

“It's pretty easy to play with him, because everybody's afraid of him.”

— Darius Garland, Clippers Guard

What’s next

The Clippers will need to continue their strong play in the final 17 games of the regular season to secure a spot in the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Their success will largely depend on the continued health and dominant performance of Kawhi Leonard.

The takeaway

The Clippers' remarkable turnaround from a disastrous start to the season has defied NBA history and made them a potential playoff threat, showcasing the impact of a healthy and dominant Kawhi Leonard. This story highlights the importance of roster moves and player development in the NBA, as the Clippers' trade deadline acquisitions have helped propel their late-season surge.