The Los Angeles Clippers secured a commanding 131-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night at the Intuit Dome. The game marked the much-anticipated season debut of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who helped snap the team’s two-game losing streak with a well-rounded team effort. Before the win, the Clippers’ most recent losses came at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
The victory improved the Clippers’ record to 20-15, moving them to the seventh spot in the Western Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ struggles continued as they suffered their third consecutive loss, falling to 18-28 and remaining seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Kawhi Leonard’s Return Boosts The Los Angeles Clippers
After teasing his return with an Instagram post last year, Kawhi Leonard made his first appearance of the season. In just 19 minutes of action, Leonard contributed 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers.
The Clippers also achieved a season-high in both dunks and team assists on Saturday. Notably, James Harden set a franchise record with 13 assists in the first half.
The Clippers’ win was a result of balanced contributions across the roster, with eight players scoring in double figures. Norman Powell led with 20 points. Ivica Zubac dominated inside, recording 18 points and 18 rebounds.
Amir Coffey added 17 points and 4 rebounds while Harden contributed 10 points and a game-high 15 assists. Kevin Porter Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. added 15 points and 13 points, respectively.
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For the Hawks, Trae Young spearheaded the effort with 20 points and 14 assists. De’Andre Hunter chipped in 18 points, while Garrison Mathews tallied 15 points and 8 rebounds, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher added 13 points to the loss. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the Clippers’ well-rounded performance.
The Clippers’ next battle is against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, while the Hawks will take on the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
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