After another dispiriting loss, the Los Angeles Clippers are confronting a rocky start marked by missed opportunities, rising frustration, and calls for sharper execution from their stars.
Los Angeles continued its month-long resurgence with a 112–104 win over the Lakers, leaning on Kawhi Leonard and James Harden to fuel its climb up the standings.
Despite building a 26-point lead and earning their 14th win in 17 games, the Clippers needed late-game poise to hold off a furious Lakers rally in a tense 112–104 victory.
Los Angeles continued its late-December resurgence with a 119–103 win over Portland, powered by a historic shooting night from Brook Lopez and a dominant closing stretch from Kawhi Leonard.
The proposed trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto has been postponed while the NBA continues investigating the Los Angeles Clippers' business dealings involving Aspiration.
Los Angeles and Cleveland are negotiating a potential swap of veteran star James Harden for All-Star guard Darius Garland, though draft compensation and contract complexities remain hurdles ahead of the trade deadline.