INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — James Harden scored 32 points and dished 10 assists while Kawhi Leonard added 35 points as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Charlotte Hornets 117-109 on Monday night at Intuit Dome. The Clippers, who led 45-43 at halftime, matched Charlotte’s 41-point third quarter to maintain a slim lead. A late push by the Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball’s 25 points, closed the gap, but Los Angeles secured the win at the free-throw line. Moussa Diabate had 13 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte. Attendance was 17,927. The Clippers improved to 16-23, while the Hornets fell to 14-26.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by explosive offensive runs and a pivotal third-quarter surge, the Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Charlotte Hornets 117-109 on Monday night at Intuit Dome. A crowd of 17,927 saw the Clippers, led by a dominant performance from James Harden, overcome a resilient Charlotte effort that saw the Hornets erase a double-digit deficit before ultimately falling short. The victory improved the Clippers’ record to 16-23, while the Hornets fell to 14-26. The most critical phase of the contest arrived in the third quarter. After a tightly contested first half that concluded with Los Angeles holding a 45-43 lead, both teams erupted offensively after the break. The quarter became a spectacular shootout, with each team pouring in 41 points. However, the Clippers’ firepower, particularly from their star duo, proved decisive in establishing a cushion that Charlotte could never fully overcome. James Harden orchestrated the Clippers’ attack with precision and scoring prowess, finishing with 32 points and 10 assists. His partnership with Kawhi Leonard was the engine of the Los Angeles offense. Leonard was relentless, scoring 35 points on an array of mid-range jumpers and three-pointers, with 19 of those points coming during the pivotal third-quarter outburst. Their combined 67 points provided the consistent offensive thrust that countered every Hornets rally. Charlotte was fueled by a standout performance from LaMelo Ball, the Chino Hills, California, native who tallied 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Rookie Kon Knueppel added 18 points, while Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges each scored 13. The interior presence was provided by Moussa Diabate, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots, repeatedly challenging the Clippers at the rim. The game began with Charlotte establishing an early edge, leading 26-24 after the first quarter. The pace slowed and defenses tightened in a grinding second period, where the Clippers managed a 21-17 advantage to take their narrow two-point lead into halftime. The third quarter then transformed the game. The Clippers, leveraging the scoring of Leonard and the playmaking of Harden, consistently answered Charlotte baskets with scores of their own, often from beyond the arc. While the Hornets matched the 41-point output, they could not cut into the lead, entering the final period down 86-84. In the fourth quarter, the Clippers methodically rebuilt their advantage. Key contributions from role players like Jordan Miller, who scored 14 points, and Brook Lopez, who hit crucial three-pointers, helped extend the lead. Harden delivered the final blows, hitting a pair of deep step-back three-pointers midway through the quarter to push the lead to 108-100, a sequence from which Charlotte never recovered. Charlotte made several pushes in the closing minutes, with Ball and Diabate leading the charge, but the Clippers executed in the final two minutes. A tip-in by Jordan Miller and a driving score by Kawhi Leonard sealed the victory before Knueppel’s last-second dunk provided the final margin. The Clippers shot efficiently from the floor, while the Hornets struggled from three-point range. Los Angeles also capitalized on Charlotte’s turnovers, converting them into key transition opportunities. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, the Clippers entered the game with a 77.30 percent probability to win. The total score of 226 points fell under the pre-game over/under line of 224.5. The Clippers will host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The Hornets continue their road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to stabilize their seasons will meet Monday when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. The Hornets (13-25) arrive after a heartbreaking 114-112 home loss to Indiana on Thursday, their second consecutive defeat by a single point. The Clippers (14-23) are coming off a more convincing 121-105 road victory over Brooklyn on Friday. The matchup features a compelling duel at point guard between Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball and Los Angeles’ James Harden. Ball is averaging 21.4 points and 6.7 assists, coming off a 33-point, 8-assist performance against the Pacers. Harden, the veteran catalyst for the Clippers, is averaging 23.8 points and 7.4 assists. He scored 31 points with 6 assists in the win over the Nets, supported by 26 points from Kawhi Leonard. Charlotte’s recent schedule has been a rollercoaster, mixing blowout wins like a 124-97 victory in Oklahoma City with narrow, frustrating losses. Ball’s high-level play has been a constant, but consistency from the supporting cast remains elusive. Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel, who had 18 points and 8 rebounds against Indiana, are key secondary contributors. The Clippers have shown flashes, winning five of their last seven games, including dominant performances against Sacramento and Detroit. However, defensive lapses have led to blowout losses, such as a 146-115 defeat to Boston earlier this month. In the only previous meeting this season, the Clippers handled the Hornets 131-116 in Charlotte on Nov. 22, 2025. For the Hornets, this game opens a challenging four-game West Coast trip. The Clippers, meanwhile, begin a brief two-game homestand before heading out on a four-game Eastern swing. Both clubs are near the bottom of their respective conference standings and will view this contest as a critical opportunity to build momentum.