Kawhi Leonard scored 12 points in his season-opening game, and Norman Powell scored 20 points as the Los Angeles Clippers easily defeated the Atlanta Hawks 131-105 on Saturday night.
Leonard played 19 minutes despite missing the Clippers’ first 34 games due to what the franchise termed as the recuperation from a right knee ailment. He finished with three 3-pointers, three rebounds, and one assist while shooting 4 of 11 from the field.
With 18 points and 18 rebounds, Ivica Zubac helped the Clippers end a two-game losing run. Amir Coffey scored seventeen points.
Atlanta’s top scorer, Trae Young, finished with 20 points and 14 assists. After winning four in a row, the Hawks had lost their last three games, and De’Andre Hunter scored 18 points for them.
Early in the second quarter, the Clippers led 36–35, but Coffey scored nine of his 15 points during a 27–4 surge that opened the gap.
Takeaways
Hawks: Because of stiffness in his right shoulder, guard Jalen Johnson was unable to play. Due to injury management, guard Bogdan Bogdanovic was also unable to play.
Terance for the Clippers Mann made a comeback to the starting lineup as well, scoring 12 points in 16 minutes. Mann’s left middle finger broke, causing him to miss ten games.
Key moment
With 9:57 gone in the first quarter, Leonard tied the score at five points apiece with his first 3-pointer from the left wing. Zaccharie Risacher, a rookie with the Hawks, guarded Leonard, but he made the basket.
Key stat
According to Sportradar, James Harden’s 13 first-half assists were the most by a Clippers player before halftime since 1996–97. In his 15-year career, he has twice had 14 assists in the first half. Harden had 15 assists and 10 points in the end.
Up next
On Tuesday, the Hawks travel to Utah, and on Monday, the Clippers travel to Minnesota.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!