NBA: Kawhi Leonard, Clippers nip Rockets in final seconds

Kawhi Leonard completed a tiebreaking three-point play with two seconds remaining to lift the visiting Los Angeles Clippers to a 105-102 comeback victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Leonard scored 19 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Clippers from a 15-point deficit. His spinning fadeaway, despite a foul from Jae'Sean Tate, gave Los Angeles the final lead in a back-and-forth closing period. Tari Eason missed a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer for Houston.

Leonard also grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds and led all players with four steals. Six Clippers scored in double figures. For Houston, Kris Dunn and Bennedict Mathurin scored 16 points each, while Kevin Durant added 21. Reed Sheppard contributed 17 points and five 3-pointers off the bench. Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Alperen Sengun posted 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Houston committed 21 turnovers and saw its two-game winning streak end.

Other NBA Results:

Jazz 121, Kings 93 – Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 points and Lauri Markkanen added 19 to lead Utah past Sacramento, handing the Kings their 14th consecutive loss. Isaiah Collier had 12 points and 14 assists, while Brice Sensabaugh contributed 19 off the bench. DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 20 points.

Nuggets 122, Grizzlies 116 – Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists. Jamal Murray added 23 points as Denver held off Memphis. GG Jackson scored a season-high 21 for the Grizzlies.

Spurs 126, Warriors 113 – De’Aaron Fox scored 27 points and Victor Wembanyama added 26 as San Antonio overcame a 16-point deficit in a win over Golden State. Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, and Moses Moody each scored 17 points for the Warriors.

Bucks 116, Magic 108 – Cam Thomas led Milwaukee with 34 points off the bench, snapping Orlando’s three-game winning streak. Kevin Porter Jr. posted a triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Desmond Bane scored 31 for the Magic.

Thunder 136, Suns 109 – Jalen Williams scored 28 points, including 19 in the third quarter, as Oklahoma City dominated Phoenix. Isaiah Joe added 21 points with six 3-pointers. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 23 points.

Celtics 124, Bulls 105 – Payton Pritchard scored a game-high 26 points off the bench, and Nikola Vucevic added 19 points and 11 rebounds for Boston. Jaylen Brown contributed 24 points. Rob Dillingham led Chicago with 16 points.

Pistons 113, Raptors 95 – Cade Cunningham scored 28 points, including 18 in the second quarter, to lead Detroit past Toronto. Paul Reed added 22 points and Tobias Harris had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley scored 18 for the Raptors.

Cavaliers 138, Wizards 113 – Sam Merrill scored a career-high 32 points, including nine 3-pointers, and Donovan Mitchell added 30 for Cleveland. James Harden posted 13 points and 11 assists in his home debut. Kyshawn George led Washington with 17 points.

Knicks 138, 76ers 89 – Jose Alvarado scored a season-high 26 points with eight 3-pointers, and Mikal Bridges added 22 as New York routed Philadelphia. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey scored 32 for the Sixers.

Pacers 115, Nets 110 – Rookie Kam Jones hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 16.8 seconds left to lift Indiana past Brooklyn. Jarace Walker scored 23 points and Micah Potter added a career-high 19. Noah Traore led the Nets with 20 points.

Timberwolves 133, Trail Blazers 109 – Julius Randle scored 41 points as Minnesota pulled away in Minneapolis. Jaden McDaniels added 21 points and Rudy Gobert had 17. Jrue Holiday scored 23 for Portland.

Heat 123, Pelicans 111 – Bam Adebayo posted 27 points and 14 rebounds to lead Miami past New Orleans. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 23 points off the bench. Zion Williamson scored 25 for the Pelicans.

Hornets 110, Hawks 107 – Brandon Miller scored 31 points as short-handed Charlotte defeated Atlanta. LaMelo Ball added 24 points and six assists, while Kon Knueppel contributed 18 points. Dyson Daniels led the Hawks with 21 points.

—Field Level Media/Reuters