Clippers close out Spurs in back and forth thriller

SAN ANTONIO -- The Clippers have won 7 out of 10 games with their 128-116 win against the Spurs on Wednesday night. 

In one of the games of the year intensity-wise, the Clippers closed the game with a 34-24 4th quarter and some clutch buckets by the core down the stretch.

Kawhi Leonard had his best game of the season, looking like the All-NBA player from 2024, scoring 27 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds on 11-19 shooting. Leonard was sensational down the stretch as well, re-entering back into the game with close to 2 minutes remaining.

Shortly after, he poked the ball away from Victor Wembanyama and assisted a wide-open James Harden for a dagger 3-pointer. 

It was a group effort however, as Ivica Zubac continued his emergence with another 20-20 game. Per Clippers PR, Zubac is one of four players in the NBA this season to have multiple games with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, with 21 and 22 on Wednesday night. 

Zubac, Leonard, Norman Powell, and Harden combined for an insane 96 points to lead the Clippers. 

There were runs by both teams throughout the game and the Spurs young core would not back down, with Wembanyama scoring 23 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Four Spurs players were in double figures, and although they stormed back from big Clipper leads, the final one sealed the game.

A 22-7 run in the 4th quarter by the Clippers buried the Spurs, and that core of 4 that scored 96 just out-talented the young Spurs.

When this team is whole, and when Kawhi Leonard is healthy (which he is right now), they are formidable, especially with the second ranked defense in the NBA. 

Now, the Hornets host the Clippers without LaMelo Ball on Friday. Tipoff is set for 4:00 PM PST.