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Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99

Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99 | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard controls the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

INGLEWOOD, Calif (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 55 points, James Harden added 28 and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

Leonard went 17 of 26 from the floor, including 5 for 10 from 3-point range, and made 16 of 17 free throws, with his only blemish of the game a missed free throw in the third quarter that ended his run of 64 straight from the line, all this month. He scored 26 of his points in the third quarter.

Nicolas Batum scored 12 points, while Leonard added 11 rebounds and five steals for Los Angeles, which lost 10 of 11 games before its four-game run.

The veteran Clippers took things to the extreme with three starters in Harden, Batum and Brook Lopez age 36 or over. All five starters were in their 30s, with Kris Dunn (31) and Leonard (34).

Cade Cunningham finished with 27 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons after being held scoreless in the first half while in foul trouble. Jalen Duren had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey added 11 points for Detroit, which lost back-to-back games for just the second time.

Playing without center Ivica Zubac for the third consecutive game, Los Angeles was all business from the start. The Clippers’ first double-digit lead came four minutes into the game at 16-6 on a 3-pointer from Harden.

The Clippers led by as many as 20 points in the first half when Leonard scored 25 points. The Pistons pulled within nine points twice in the third quarter before a 16-5 run gave the Clippers another 20-point lead at 81-61 on a Leonard 3-pointer.

Leonard became the second player in franchise history to score at least 40 points in consecutive games at home, joining Bob McAdoo.

Up next

Pistons: At Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

Clippers: Host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99 | iNFOnews.ca
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) drives the ball while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99 | iNFOnews.ca
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, right, controls the ball while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99 | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) looks to drive the ball against Detroit Pistons guard Caris Levert (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Leonard scores a career-best 55 points to lead the Clippers past the East-leading Pistons 112-99 | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives the ball while under pressure from Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

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The Associated Press

Doug Padilla

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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