Kawhi Leonard delivered a decisive finish Wednesday night, scoring 27 points and converting a three-point play with two seconds left to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 105-102 win over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The forward also grabbed 12 rebounds as Los Angeles improved to 26-28, holding onto a Western Conference play-in position.
The veteran star controlled the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of his points in the final period and extending his career-best streak of 20-point games to 33. His late execution capped a game defined by momentum swings and half-court adjustments from both teams.
Houston entered the fourth quarter with a late third-period advantage after building a 13-point lead, but the visitors answered with a 12-0 run fueled by defensive stops and transition scoring. Leonard scored nine during that stretch, helping shift tempo and forcing the Rockets into contested shots.
Kevin Durant led Houston with 21 points and six assists, while Alperen Sengun added 16 points and nine rebounds to anchor the interior offense. Reed Sheppard provided 17 points off the bench, hitting five three-pointers to keep the home side within reach throughout the second half.
The Rockets briefly regained control midway through the fourth, using a 13-4 run highlighted by Durant’s perimeter shooting to move ahead 93-91. Los Angeles responded with efficient late possessions, making five consecutive free throws and relying on strong spacing around Leonard and Brook Lopez.
With the score tied in the final seconds after Sengun’s free throw, Leonard secured the rebound, called for a timeout, and hit a fadeaway jumper while drawing contact. The ensuing free throw pushed the margin to three, and Tari Eason’s last-second attempt missed, sealing the Clippers’ victory.
Los Angeles shot 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, while Kris Dunn contributed 16 points and six assists to stabilize ball movement. John Collins added 12 points, including a key dunk that extended the lead late in regulation.
Houston finished with 21 turnovers, which limited its ability to capitalize on a 45-32 rebounding edge. Despite shooting 46 percent overall, the Rockets struggled to maintain offensive rhythm in crunch time against Los Angeles’ switching defense.
The result ended a strong stretch for Houston, which entered the game fourth in the Western Conference at 33-20, while the Clippers gained momentum heading toward the All-Star break. Both teams return to action Feb. 19, with Los Angeles hosting Denver and Houston visiting Charlotte.
