NBA: Stars guide Clippers to victory over lackluster Wizards

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 as the Los Angeles Clippers rolled past the Washington Wizards 119-105, extending their winning streak to four games. Rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser chipped in 16 points, helping Los Angeles win eight of their past nine home games.

FIELD LEVEL MEDIA / Reuters

January 15, 2026

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals the ball from Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (22) during the second half at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, USA, on January 14, 2026.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Reuters

The Los Angeles Clippers leaned on their star duo once again as Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and James Harden added 22 points with eight assists in a 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday in Inglewood, California.

Rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser contributed 16 points, while Jordan Miller added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Clippers extend their winning streak to four games. Los Angeles has now won 11 of its last 13 games since December 20.

The Clippers shot 47% from the field and secured their eighth win in the past nine home games.

For the Wizards, Kyshawn George led with 23 points, and Khris Middleton added 17 points. Washington suffered its fourth consecutive loss and fell to 0-2 on a four-game road trip. Marvin Bagley III posted 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Will Riley added 12 points as the Wizards shot 45.6% from the floor and held a 50-47 rebounding edge.

Washington’s starting center, Alex Sarr, received technical fouls in both of the first two quarters and was ejected with less than two minutes left in the first half after scoring four points.

Trailing by as many as 24 points in the first half, the Wizards rallied in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 83-81 with 3:26 remaining. George scored 12 points in the period, while Middleton added 10.

The Clippers led 96-89 after three quarters and regained a double-digit advantage at 102-91 following a Leonard 3-pointer with 10:07 left. Leonard later hit another 3-pointer to push the lead to 110-95 with 6:14 remaining, finishing the fourth quarter with four 3-pointers and 14 points.

Los Angeles built a 70-51 halftime lead, fueled by 16 points from Harden and 15 from Leonard, shooting 51.1% from the floor compared to 45.7% for the Wizards.

Before the game, Wizards head coach Brian Keefe confirmed that guard Trae Young, acquired from the Atlanta Hawks last Friday, will not be reevaluated for knee and quad injuries until after the All-Star break.

—Field Level Media/Reuters