Feb 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard (2) towards Phoenix Suns ahead Dillon Brooks (3) within the first half at Mortgage Matchup Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures After one other prime defensive efficiency, the Los Angeles Clippers return house Monday to face the Philadelphia 76ers at Inglewood, Calif., as their NBA-best run of success is now over a month outdated.
The Clippers improved to 17-4 since Dec. 20 with a 117-93 victory on Sunday over the host Phoenix Suns that got here with out the companies of veteran James Harden, who was out on the primary day of a back-to-back for private causes.
Kawhi Leonard scored 25 factors for Los Angeles and had loads of assist from Jordan Miller, who scored 20 factors off the bench, whereas middle Ivica Zubac had 20 rebounds with 14 factors. It was Zubac’s first 20-rebound sport of the marketing campaign after hitting that mark 5 instances final seasons.
Los Angeles is ninth within the Western Convention standings, one sport forward of the Portland Path Blazers. The Clippers sit three video games behind the Golden State Warriors for eighth place.
Leonard’s play has led the Clippers’ resurgence, whereas staff protection has made a significant impression. Los Angeles has held opponents underneath 100 factors six instances throughout their present run of success.
“Enjoying collectively, trusting, believing, and simply taking part in for each other,” Los Angeles head coach Tyronn Lue mentioned concerning the current stretch. “James (Harden) was out tonight and he’s considered one of our large canines, however different guys stepped up in his absence.
“… As soon as we hit that tough begin at 6-21, as soon as we challenged the blokes, they’ve actually taken off and so they’ve actually been good.”
The Clippers are 10-1 at house since their turnaround started, together with 5 consecutive victories.
The 76ers arrive within the Los Angeles space on a three-game profitable streak after a 124-114 house victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Joel Embiid scored a season-high 40 factors for Philadelphia with 11 rebounds.
Embiid was 13 of 27 from the ground (48.1%) and matched a season excessive with three 3-pointers on 5 makes an attempt. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 factors with 10 rebounds and All-Star Recreation starter Tyrese Maxey had 18 factors with eight assists.
The win streak has come after the Sixers misplaced 5 of seven video games going again to Jan. 14.
Embiid has averaged 26.2 factors in 28 video games and has no less than 29 factors in seven consecutive video games however was not chosen an All-Star reserve on Sunday. Leonard was not named, both, whilst he has averaged 27.7 factors in 34 video games for the Clippers. Each have delivered regardless of histories of persistent knee points.
Leonard might be a candidate to exchange Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf damage).
“Hold pushing,” Embiid mentioned. “It was purported to be mainly a tryout for subsequent yr and shifting ahead. How are we going to do that? I’d say I believe we found out the schedule and what we’ve got to do each single day to guarantee that I am ready and I really feel good.”
Sunday’s sport was anticipated to be the return of Philadelphia’s Paul George towards considered one of his former groups, however that was derailed by George’s 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug coverage. His suspension was handed down earlier than Saturday’s sport.
With out their sharpshooter in George, the Sixers nonetheless went 17 of 36 (47.2%) from 3-point vary Saturday towards New Orleans, tied for his or her second-best accuracy mark from distance this season.
–Area Degree Media
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