National Basketball Association
L.A. Clippers 140, Washington 115
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2024
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Officials: # Sha'Rae Mitchell, #26 Pat Fraher, #68 Jacyn Goble
Attendance: 19370

James Harden scored 21 of his 28 points in the second quarter and Paul George celebrated his return with 22 points as the Los Angeles Clippers poured on the offense in a 140-115 victory Friday over the visiting Washington Wizards.

Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points and Terance Mann had 12 as the Clippers ended their first two-game skid since just before Christmas. George was 8-for-15 from the floor in 30 minutes after missing the past two games with a knee injury.

The victory came at a cost for Los Angeles, which lost Russell Westbrook to a fractured left hand in the second quarter.

The Clippers, who were without Ivica Zubac (illness) for a second consecutive game, won for just the fourth time in nine games but remained in fourth in the Western Conference.

Kyle Kuzma scored 32 points, Deni Avdija added 14 and Marvin Bagley III had 10 points with 10 rebounds as Washington lost its 14th straight after dropping back-to-back contests at Los Angeles. The Wizards fell in overtime to the Lakers on Thursday.

Jordan Poole scored 16 points off the bench for Washington after scoring a season-high 34 points Thursday. The Wizards are 2-20 since Jan. 15, have lost six consecutive overall to the Clippers and 16 consecutive to them in Los Angeles going back to the 2007-08 season.

In a tight game early in the second quarter, Harden made four consecutive 3-pointers at one point for the Clippers and five total in the period.

Los Angeles grabbed a 79-64 halftime lead while scoring the fourth-most points in a half in franchise history.

The Clippers pushed the lead past 20 points in the third quarter and went up 100-75 with 3:35 left in the period. As frustration set in for the Wizards, Richaun Holmes was hit with a pair of technical fouls in the third and was ejected.

Reserve guard Bones Hyland earned some extra playing time after Westbrook was injured. Hyland, who appeared in a game for just the fifth time since Dec. 26, scored two points and added seven assists in 16 minutes.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Washington   L.A. Clippers
Kyle Kuzma 32 Scoring James Harden 28
Tyus Jones 9 Assists James Harden 8
Marvin Bagley III 10 Rebounds Mason Plumlee 10
Deni Avdija 4 Free Throws Made Kawhi Leonard 7
Jared Butler 1 Steals Amir Coffey 1
Justin Champagnie 1 Blocks James Harden 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Washington 115 46.9 12-34 11-15 29 39 3 5 10
L.A. Clippers 140 57.4 13-32 19-25 32 49 7 5 9
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against Minnesota. The Clippers have a W/L % of .649 after a win and .667 after a loss.
  • Washington will play their next game on the road against Utah. The Wizards have a W/L % of .111 after a win and .157 after a loss.