Kawhi Leonard has 24 points and 12 rebounds and rookie Kobe Sanders scores a career-best 20 in a 103-102 victory on a night when Warriors coach Steve Kerr gets ejected and superstar Steph Curry fouls out. James Harden (shoulder) sits out for the Clippers.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr had a one-word strategy on how to slow Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.
“Pray,” he said.
His concern coming into Monday night’s game stemmed from Leonard’s recent play. The six-time All-Star had averaged 39 points during the Clippers’ recent six-game winning streak, before posting 22 in their streak-snapping loss to the Boston Celtics over the weekend.
“He’s a brilliant player. It’s good to see him healthy and playing at a really high level,” Kerr said before the game.
While Leonard didn’t perform at the elite level he did during the win streak, the two-time NBA Finals MVP still scored 24 points despite some shooting struggles and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Clippers held on for a 103-102 victory over the Warriors at the Intuit Dome.
Warriors superstar Steph Curry buried back-to-back 3-pointers to pull the Warriors within one 101-100 with 1:05 left. Kris Dunn gave the Clippers a three-point cushion with two free throws after Curry fouled out, then Draymond Green cut the margin to 103-102 on a driving layup with 32.6 seconds left.
Leonard (0 for 8 from 3-point range) missed a 3-point shot with less than 10 seconds left, but the Warriors’ Jimmy Butler lofted a 16-foot fadeaway shot that fell short and the Clippers held on for their seventh victory in the past eight games.
