INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Kawhi Leonard hit a pull-up jumper at the final buzzer to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 114-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Leonard finished with 28 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who erased a 21-point first-quarter deficit. Darius Garland, a Gary, Indiana native, led all scorers with 30 points. Aaron Nesmith scored 26 points for the Pacers, who led 42-21 after one quarter. Obi Toppin added 20 points off the bench. The Clippers improved to 38-36. The Pacers fell to 16-58. Attendance was 16,645.

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Kawhi Leonard sank a pull-up jumper with one second remaining to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 114-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. In a game defined by wild momentum swings and a frantic final minute, Leonard’s clutch shot capped a dramatic comeback and handed the Pacers, who own the NBA’s second-worst record, a heartbreaking defeat in front of 16,645 fans. The finish was set up after the Clippers squandered a late lead. Los Angeles held a 111-108 advantage after a Darius Garland 3-pointer with 1:24 to play, but Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith answered with a 3-pointer of his own 57 seconds later to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Leonard missed the second of two free throws, keeping the score knotted at 111 with 46 seconds left. Obi Toppin then put the Pacers ahead, tipping in his own miss with 1 minute remaining for a 113-111 edge. Leonard responded with a driving floater to tie the game with 49.9 seconds on the clock. After Nesmith missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer, Garland was fouled and made two free throws to give the Clippers a 113-111 lead with 31.3 seconds left. Indiana had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Pascal Siakam missed an 11-foot jumper with 9.7 seconds left. Brook Lopez secured the defensive rebound for Los Angeles, setting the stage for Leonard’s winner. Following a timeout, Leonard took the inbounds pass, drove to his right and elevated for a 7-foot jumper over Nesmith that swished through the net. The Pacers had 0.4 seconds for a final attempt, but Andrew Nembhard’s inbound pass sailed out of bounds, sealing the Clippers’ win. The game was a tale of two halves, dominated early by an explosive Indiana offense. The Pacers erupted for 42 points in the first quarter, shooting a blistering 65% from the field and connecting on six 3-pointers to build a 21-point lead. Nesmith was instrumental, scoring 11 points in the period as Indiana seemingly could not miss. Los Angeles spent the next two quarters methodically chipping away at the deficit. They tightened their defense, holding Indiana to 18 points in the second quarter, and used a 36-point third quarter to finally seize the lead. A 17-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters gave the Clippers their largest advantage at 96-88. Garland led all scorers with 30 points and added five assists for the Clippers. Leonard finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and four assists, including the game-winning basket. Lopez contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Bennedict Mathurin added 17 points off the bench. Despite the loss, the Pacers received standout performances. Nesmith scored a team-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Toppin was a force off the bench with 20 points and eight rebounds, including several key baskets in the fourth quarter. Andrew Nembhard orchestrated the offense with 13 points and 10 assists. The victory improves the Clippers to 38-36 as they continue their push for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The loss drops the Pacers to 16-58, though they have shown recent competitive spirit with close games against several contenders. Los Angeles continues its road trip Sunday in Milwaukee. Indiana hosts the Miami Heat on Sunday.

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Clippers, riding a surge of offensive firepower, will look to solidify their playoff positioning when they visit the struggling Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night. The Clippers (36-36) enter the contest at .500 and are coming off a dominant 129-96 victory over Milwaukee on Monday. Their recent success has been fueled by the stellar play of forward Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 30.8 points over his last 10 games. In the teams’ previous meeting on March 4, Leonard scored 29 points in just 23 minutes to lead Los Angeles to a 130-107 win over Indiana. Leonard’s efficiency has been remarkable. He poured in 45 points against Minnesota on March 11 and has scored at least 28 points in eight of his last 10 outings. His performance will be central as the Clippers begin a critical two-game road trip before returning home. The Pacers (16-57), owners of the league’s worst record, have shown flashes despite their dismal standing. They are coming off a narrow 137-130 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, a game in which guard Andrew Nembhard dished out a career-high 19 assists. Nembhard has emerged as a bright spot, averaging a double-double of 15.8 points and 11.1 assists over his last nine games, including a 14-assist performance in a win over Orlando. Indiana’s defense, however, remains a persistent issue. The team has allowed an average of 124.3 points per game during its current 1-9 stretch over the last 10 games. Containing Leonard and the Clippers’ offense, which has topped 120 points in six of its last eight victories, presents a formidable challenge. For the Clippers, every game is crucial in a tight Western Conference race as they jockey for seeding. For the Pacers, the focus remains on development and finding consistency, with Nembhard’s playmaking offering a foundation for the future. Following Friday’s game, the Clippers travel to Milwaukee for a Sunday matchup. The Pacers will host the Miami Heat on Sunday.