Kawhi Leonard’s Buzzer-Beater Secures Clippers’ Victory Over Pelicans 126-124
Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater was the highlight of an intense game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Clippers triumphed 126-124 in their first NBA Cup group stage matchup.
Kawhi Leonard Leads the Clippers to Victory
On Friday night, Leonard scored 34 points, sealing the game with a remarkable shot just as time expired. His decisive play came after Zion Williamson had tied the game with two free throws, leaving only 9.6 seconds on the clock.
Key Performances
- Kawhi Leonard: 34 points
- James Harden: 24 points, 14 assists
- Derrick Jones Jr.: 16 points
- Ivica Zubac: 14 points, 11 rebounds
- Jordan Poole (Pelicans): 30 points, including seven 3-pointers
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans): 29 points
Game Highlights
The Clippers displayed a strong performance, having led by as many as 17 points in the second half. However, they faced challenges defending against the Pelicans’ 3-point shooting. New Orleans finished the game with 18 successful 3-pointers out of 37 attempts, achieving a shooting percentage of 48.6%.
James Harden demonstrated his scoring and distributing abilities, particularly in the second quarter, where he recorded 14 points and five assists. One standout moment included a four-point play after being fouled on a long-range shot.
Struggles for the Pelicans
Despite the offensive contributions from Poole and Williamson, the Pelicans are now winless after five games this season. This marks their worst start since losing eight consecutive games at the beginning of the 2016-17 season.
Upcoming Games
- Pelicans: Will visit the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
- Clippers: Will host the Heat on Monday.
As the NBA season progresses, both teams will look to improve upon their performances in the coming games.
