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Spurs Overcome Early Deficit to Defeat Clippers Without Kawhi Leonard
Victor Wembanyama's double-double leads San Antonio to 50th win of the season.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:09am
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The San Antonio Spurs overcame an early 14-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115 on Monday night. Victor Wembanyama recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 23 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. The Clippers were without star Kawhi Leonard, who sat out with a sprained left knee.
Why it matters
This game was crucial for both teams' playoff positioning. The Spurs reached the 50-win mark for the first time since 2016-17 and are closing in on the first-place Thunder in the Western Conference. The Clippers, meanwhile, are fighting to secure a spot in the play-in tournament, making Leonard's injury a significant setback.
The details
The Clippers jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter, shooting 65% from the floor and hitting 5 of 7 three-pointers. However, the Spurs turned things around in the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers 37-15 to take a 66-52 lead at halftime. San Antonio extended their lead to 24 points in the third quarter before the Clippers mounted a late comeback, but the Spurs held on for the victory.
- The game was played on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The players
Victor Wembanyama
A 21-year-old French professional basketball player who plays for the San Antonio Spurs.
Stephon Castle
A 23-year-old American professional basketball player who plays for the San Antonio Spurs.
Kawhi Leonard
A 34-year-old American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers but sat out this game due to a sprained left knee.
Darius Garland
A 25-year-old American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jordan Miller
A 24-year-old American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
The takeaway
This game highlighted the Spurs' depth and resilience, as they were able to overcome an early deficit and hold off a late Clippers comeback without their star player Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers' loss is a setback in their quest to secure a play-in tournament spot, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy roster down the stretch.
