Clippers vs Lakers: Kawhi & Co. Take Control in 112-104 Victory

Inglewood, CA – January 23, 2026: The Los Angeles Clippers tightened their grip on momentum Thursday night with a hard-fought 112-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. In a clash of Pacific Division foes, the Clippers pulled away behind Kawhi Leonard’s scoring punch and stout team defense, leaving Lakers fans wanting more in this LA-centric showdown.

⭐ Clippers Ride Kawhi’s Consistency

From tip-off it was clear Kawhi Leonard was in rhythm. Leonard scored 24 points, marking his 23rd straight game with at least 20 points — a testament to his reliability as a go-to scorer. His performance anchored the Clippers’ offensive flow and set the tone on both ends of the floor. 

The Clippers have now won 7 of their last 8 games, a stretch that has seen them climb out of the lower tier of the Western Conference and re-establish themselves as a tough matchup night in and night out. 

📊 Key Moments That Tilted the Game

• 🔹 Clippers surge early: Los Angeles opened up an aggressive first half, building separation with crisp ball movement and stout defense. 

• 🔹 Lakers counterattack late: Luka Dončić kept the Lakers within striking distance with a balanced attack, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. 

• 🔹 Depth contribution: Clippers contributors like James Harden and Ivica Zubac made crucial plays down the stretch to preserve the lead. 

🔁 Player Highlights

🟦 Los Angeles Clippers

• Kawhi Leonard: 24 points — continued his consistent scoring run. 

• James Harden: Facilitated offense and added key baskets in crunch time. 

• Ivica Zubac: Controlled the paint with points and rebounds. 

🟪 Los Angeles Lakers

• Luka Dončić: Starred with a near triple-double performance, showing elite scoring and playmaking. 

• LeBron James: Displayed veteran savvy and leadership, including some highlight plays in the fourth quarter. 

📌 What This Means for Both Teams

For the Clippers: This win reinforces their ascent. With depth and scoring balance, they’ve shown they can compete with top West teams — even without playing flawless basketball.

For the Lakers: Defensively there were bright spots, but closing out remains an issue. The Lakers still have a talented core, but they’ll need tighter execution in future matchups to flip close games in their favor.

💬 Final Takeaway

The 112-104 Clippers victory wasn’t just another W in the standings — it was a statement. A confident Clippers group backed by Kawhi’s consistency now looks poised for an exciting second half of the season, while the Lakers are left with work to do as the grind intensifies.