Wizards fall to Clippers 110-93 as Leonard, Harden lead LA’s balanced attack

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By: Michael Brown

Wizards fall to Clippers 110-93 as Kawhi Leonard and James Harden lead LA’s balanced attack in dominant Wednesday night victory. The Clippers continue their surging form with 10-2 record since December 20, while Washington struggles with turnovers and offensive consistency.

🔥 Quick Facts

  • Final Score: Clippers 110, Wizards 93, January 14, 2026 at Intuit Dome
  • Leonard’s Performance: 35 points on efficient 11-19 shooting with 7 rebounds
  • Harden’s Contribution: 32 points and 10 assists from the versatile guard
  • Wizards’ Turnovers: Washington committed 23 turnovers resulting in 20 Phoenix points

Leonard Takes Over, Clippers Stay Hot

Kawhi Leonard displayed his offensive brilliance with 35 points on highly efficient shooting in Wednesday’s dominant home victory. The Clippers’ star has averaged 32.7 points per game over his last 12 contests, establishing himself as Los Angeles‘ primary scoring weapon. Leonard shot 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range, showcasing the consistency that has fueled the Clippers’ recent surge.

James Harden complemented Leonard’s scoring with 32 points and 10 assists, demonstrating the balanced offensive attack that makes LA so difficult to defend. This victory comes after Monday’s win over Charlotte, where Leonard again scored 35 points. The dynamic duo has proven they can carry Los Angeles consistently in crunch games.

Harden Makes Historic Milestone

James Harden’s performance held special significance as he moved into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 28,614 career points, passing the legendary Shaquille O’Neal’s 28,596. The Clippers guard reflected on this achievement after Monday’s game. According to Harden, reaching this milestone meant joining historic company with players he watched while growing up in Southern California.

Harden stated, “Shaq, as I’ve said before, is someone that I watched, being a hometown kid in LA, watching Kobe Bryant and the Lakers do some special things here for the city. So that’s definitely special.” The all-time scoring achievement adds another layer to Harden’s already impressive 11-year NBA career, solidifying his place among the league’s greatest offensive players.

Clippers Championship Run Details

Aspect Information
Record Since Dec 20 10-2 (Dominant stretch)
Kawhi Leonard Avg (Last 12) 32.7 points per game
Leonard Shooting (Wednesday) 11-19 FG, 5-9 3PT, 8-9 FT
Harden Assists (Wednesday) 10 assists, 32 points

The Clippers’ success reflects the coaching excellence of Tyronn Lue, who has implemented a balanced offensive system benefiting from multiple scoring options. After the Charlotte victory, Lue emphasized the team’s ability to execute when needed. The LA squad is clearly entering the second half of the season with championship-level momentum.

Wizards Struggle with Turnovers, Sarr Takes on Leadership

Washington’s disappointing performance featured 23 costly turnovers that led to 20 points for Los Angeles, highlighting a critical weakness in Wizards’ execution. Alex Sarr led Washington with 19 points and 15 rebounds, showing flashes of the potential the rookie brings to the struggling franchise. Tre Johnson, the number six overall draft pick, contributed 19 points but couldn’t prevent the offensive collapse.

Wizards coach Brian Keefe identified the core issue after Sunday’s loss to Phoenix. According to Keefe, the team lost 50-50 balls and failed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Washington also gave up 15 offensive rebounds and allowed 25 second-chance points, magnifying the fundamental breakdowns that have defined their recent struggles.

Can the Wizards Find Offensive Solutions Before LA Rematch?

The Wizards face mounting pressure to correct these critical flaws before the Clippers’ next three-game East Coast road trip, which includes a Monday rematch in Washington. The Wizards’ recent trade for four-time All-Star Trae Young brought optimism, but Young remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. With CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert now in Atlanta, Washington must find new offensive rhythm without three key contributors.

The upcoming road trip presents both challenges and opportunities for Washington to regroup and rebuild confidence. Sarr’s continued development and Johnson’s growth as a rookie remain the franchise’s best hopes for long-term success. Whether the Wizards can execute more cleanly and protect the basketball will determine if they can compete with elite teams like the Clippers moving forward.

Sources

  • NBA.com: Official game recap and box score from January 14, 2026 matchup between Washington Wizards and LA Clippers
  • ESPN: Live coverage, highlights, and updated statistics for the Clippers vs Wizards game at Intuit Dome
  • Reuters Sports: Game summary featuring Kawhi Leonard’s performance and team analysis for West Coast matchup

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