Kawhi Leonard displayed a clutch gene with the game on the line in the closing seconds. He drilled the game-winning hook shot at the buzzer that lifted the Los Angeles Clippers to a 111-110 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night at the Intuit Dome.
Leonard made only 7-of-19 shots for 17 points but showed up when Los Angeles needed him most, as the Clippers (36-30) edged the Kings for the third time this season.
“Big time players make big time plays. He’s done it throughout his entire career,” said James Harden. “He struggled, but when the time is needed, he steps up and makes a big time shot… The confidence don’t change. Because he puts the work in. For him to step up and hit a game winner shows the confidence and type of player he is.”
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was forced to go home before the game due to back pain and assistant Brian Shaw took over in his place.
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“Kawhi had a tough night shooting the ball, but I’ll still put my money on him,” said Scott.
Los Angeles trailed by seven, 97-90 with 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Sacramento was shut out the rest of the period, allowing Harden to tie the game on a 6-foot floater with 11.2 seconds left.
Zach LaVine, who poured in 30 points for the Kings (33-31), missed an 18-foot jumper at the buzzer. The Clippers proceeded to outscore the Kings 14-13 in overtime. DeMar DeRozan and LaVine combined to score all 13 points for the Kings in the extra period.
“Just grateful we got the win. Happy the ball went in. That’s it, really,” said Leonard.
Harden finished with 29 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists while Ivica Zubac had 22 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles.
DeRozan led all scorers with 31 points and 10 assists, Keegan Murray added 15 points and Jonas Valanciunas had nine and 17 rebounds for Sacramento.
Domantas Sabonis missed his fourth game due to a hamstring injury and Malik Monk was out with a toe sprain for the Kings.
“If (Leonard) misses that shot, the feel of everything is completely different,” said DeRozan. “He made a tough shot, left hand. We gave ourselves a chance. You just shake his hand. He hit a tough shot.”
