The Clippers finally got the reset they desperately needed on Saturday night, snapping a five-game skid with a convincing 103-88 win over the Lakers. It wasn’t just a rivalry win-it was a much-needed statement from a team that’s been searching for rhythm since the season tipped off.
And leading the way? James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and a dose of timely frontcourt help from John Collins.
Let’s start with Harden, who put together a vintage performance with 21 points and 10 assists. It was his return after missing just one game, but his presence clearly brought a jolt to a Clippers offense that had been sputtering.
Harden looked comfortable orchestrating the attack, mixing in his signature step-backs with sharp reads off the pick-and-roll. The Clippers didn’t need him to take over-they needed him to steer the ship.
And that’s exactly what he did.
Kawhi Leonard, meanwhile, reminded everyone why he’s still one of the most efficient two-way forces in the league. Leonard poured in a team-high 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, powering the Clippers on both ends of the floor. His midrange game was automatic, and his defensive presence helped stifle a Lakers team that never found its rhythm outside of one man: LeBron James.
James, at 38 years old, continues to defy the aging curve. He dropped 36 points on 15-of-28 shooting, a performance that kept the Lakers within striking distance for most of the night.
But here’s the thing-no other Laker made more than three field goals or shot over 50 percent. It was a one-man show, and against a Clippers squad finally clicking, that wasn’t going to cut it.
This game also marked a rare meeting between two of the top 10 scorers in NBA history. Harden recently passed Carmelo Anthony to move into 10th place on the all-time scoring list, joining LeBron in that elite club. But when asked about sharing the floor with James in that context, Harden quickly shut down the comparison-out of respect.
“Don't even say LeBron in this conversation,” Harden said with a grin. “LeBron is… Nobody's - when we talk about that record - nobody's ever catching that.”
Hard to argue. James now sits at 42,406 career points in the regular season, a staggering 14,000-plus ahead of Harden.
That’s not just a gap-it’s a canyon. Still, there’s something to be said about Harden’s place in history.
He’s not chasing LeBron’s record, but he’s carved out his own legacy as one of the game’s most prolific offensive talents.
So far this season, Harden has suited up for 26 of the Clippers’ 28 games, averaging 25.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He’s shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep-solid numbers that suggest he’s settling into his role in L.A.
LeBron, in his 21st season, continues to put up strong all-around numbers as well: 20.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 48 percent from the field. His three-point shot hasn’t been there (just 28.3 percent), but he’s still the engine of the Lakers’ offense-and their best hope on most nights.
As for the Clippers, this win wasn’t just about ending a losing streak. It was about rediscovering their identity.
They played with pace, shared the ball, and defended with urgency. John Collins added 17 points and 12 rebounds-his first double-double as a Clipper-and gave them a physical presence that’s been missing.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. And for a team with championship aspirations, that’s the kind of game you build on.