James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined to score 58 points to help the visiting Los Angeles Clippers end their five-game losing streak with a 115-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
It is the fourth straight win for the Clippers in Atlanta and gave Los Angeles a split of their two-game season series. The Clippers entered the game having lost 14 of their last 16.
Harden scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, with nine assists, four rebounds and three steals. Leonard scored 21 points with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Ivica Zubac scored 14 points and added 17 rebounds for his 14th double-double of the season. John Collins had 15 points and nine rebounds against his former team.
The Hawks were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker with 21 points and Dyson Daniels with 13 points.
Los Angeles led by 11 points in the first quarter, only to have Atlanta tie the game at 32-32. The Clippers finished the half strong by outscoring the Hawks 15-3 over the final 4:05 to take a 55-41 halftime lead. It was the fewest points scored by Atlanta in one half this season.
The Clippers built a lead as big as 20 points at 6:39 in the third quarter and took a 94-73 lead into the final quarter.
Atlanta played without leading scorer Jalen Johnson, out with right calf tightness after getting kicked Monday, and Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his third straight game with an illness.
Los Angeles released veteran Chris Paul hours before the game, cutting ties with the 12-time All-Star, who was only playing 14 minutes and averaging just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists. The Clippers were without Bogdan Bogdanovic (left hip contusion) and Jordan Miller (back soreness).
L.A. resumes its five-game road trip Friday in Memphis. The Hawks host Denver on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back that finishes in Washington.
–Field Level Media
