INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Clippers held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Golden State Warriors for a 103-102 victory on Monday night at Intuit Dome. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers, who nearly squandered a 21-point third-quarter lead before securing the win. The Warriors, led by Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, were outscored 31-19 in the first quarter but stormed back with a 38-point fourth. The Clippers improved to 13-22, while the Warriors fell to 19-18. Attendance was 17,927.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers survived a chaotic finish and a furious Golden State fourth-quarter rally to edge the Warriors 103-102 on Monday night at Intuit Dome. In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and pivotal officiating moments, the Clippers built a commanding 19-point lead in the third quarter only to see it evaporate under a torrent of Warriors points. The final sequence saw Golden State’s Jimmy Butler miss a potential game-winning 16-foot jumper with 3.5 seconds remaining, allowing Los Angeles to escape. The most critical juncture of the contest occurred with 7:57 left in the fourth quarter and the Clippers leading 81-78. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was ejected after a vehement protest when a potential goaltending call was not made on the Clippers’ John Collins. Kerr pursued the officiating crew along the sideline and had to be restrained by assistants before being tossed. The ensuing technical free throws and possession extended the Clippers’ lead to six points, a crucial cushion in the tight final minutes. Stephen Curry led all scorers with 27 points for Golden State but struggled with his shot, going 4 for 15 from 3-point range. He also fouled out with 42 seconds remaining, his first disqualification since Dec. 17, 2021. Butler added 24 points and six rebounds for the Warriors, while Draymond Green facilitated the offense with 12 assists. Leonard anchored the Clippers with a double-double, adding five assists. Rookie guard Kobe Sanders provided a significant spark with 20 points and seven rebounds. Kris Dunn scored 16 points, including two critical free throws with 42.7 seconds left that ultimately provided the winning margin, and added six assists. Ivica Zubac posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and John Collins contributed 18 points and three blocks. The game unfolded in starkly distinct acts. The Clippers dominated the first quarter, racing to a 31-19 lead behind 12 points from Leonard. Golden State responded with a 32-point second quarter, fueled by Curry and a burst from Gary Payton II, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the period, to trim the deficit to 55-51 at halftime. Los Angeles reasserted control after the break, holding the Warriors to just 13 points in the third quarter. A 13-2 Clippers run, capped by a Kobe Sanders 3-pointer, pushed their advantage to 76-58 late in the period. The final frame belonged to the Warriors, who unleashed a 38-point quarter. A 19-4 run, powered by Butler and Gui Santos, brought Golden State all the way back to tie the game at 94-94 with 3:54 to play. The teams traded leads down the stretch. Curry’s deep 3-pointer with 1:05 left gave the Warriors a 101-99 edge, but Dunn answered with a driving floater on the next possession. After Curry fouled Dunn on the ensuing play, the Clippers guard sank both free throws for a 103-101 lead with 42.7 seconds left. Green cut the lead to one with a driving layup, and the Clippers then ran the clock down before Leonard missed a 3-pointer, setting up Butler’s final missed attempt at the buzzer. The victory improved the Clippers’ record to 13-22, while the Warriors fell to 19-18. Golden State had won the previous meeting between the teams this season on Oct. 28. Los Angeles shot effectively from the field and from 3-point range, while Golden State struggled from beyond the arc. The Warriors’ 38-point fourth-quarter explosion nearly erased their icy 13-point third quarter, but the Clippers made just enough plays, and free throws, late to secure the win. Attendance was 17,927. The Clippers next play at the New York Knicks on Wednesday, while the Warriors host the Milwaukee Bucks.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — The Golden State Warriors seek to steady themselves following a lopsided loss when they visit the surging Los Angeles Clippers, led by a red-hot Kawhi Leonard, at Intuit Dome on Monday night. The Warriors (18-17) enter having dropped two of their last three, including a 131-94 home defeat to Oklahoma City on Friday. Veteran center Al Horford, a player to watch, provided one of the few bright spots in that loss with 13 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes. Horford has scored in double figures in three of his last four games, offering efficient production off the bench. Golden State holds a better overall record but faces a Clippers squad (12-21) that has found its rhythm after a difficult start to the season. Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games, with Leonard playing at an MVP level. The forward is averaging 37.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his last eight contests, including a 55-point, 11-rebound performance against Detroit on Dec. 28 and a 45-point outing against Utah on Thursday. The teams last met on Oct. 28, with the Warriors securing a 98-79 home victory. The Clippers will look to avenge that result and extend their recent home success, having won four straight at Intuit Dome by an average margin of 24.5 points. The matchup pits Golden State’s quest for consistency against the Clippers’ explosive, Leonard-driven offense. Containing Leonard will be the primary defensive challenge for a Warriors team that allowed 131 points in its last outing. Meanwhile, the Clippers must defend against a balanced Golden State attack that features Horford’s steadying presence in the frontcourt. Following this game, the Warriors begin a three-game homestand against Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Clippers embark on a three-game East Coast road trip starting in New York on Wednesday.