Clippers Dominate Hornets as Leonard Shines in 2025 NBA Season

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak with a dominant performance against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 31, 2025, securing a 113-98 victory at the Spectrum Center. Kawhi Leonard led the charge with a standout performance, showcasing his resurgence as the Clippers continue to solidify their playoff positioning.

The Clippers’ offense has been firing on all cylinders, with Leonard posting a team-leading 123.0 offensive rating. Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac also contributed significantly, with Powell scoring efficiently against a soft Hornets defense and Zubac dominating the boards with a 20/20 game. “Kawhi had a lot of pop tonight,” said Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. “We’re a different team when he looks like that.”

Charlotte, missing star guard LaMelo Ball due to an ankle injury, struggled to generate offense. The Hornets scored just 83 points in their previous game and failed to break 100 against the Clippers’ elite defense. “It’s tough without LaMelo,” said Hornets coach Steve Lee. “We need to get better on the ball and defensively.”

James Harden, despite facing a tougher defensive matchup with Josh Green guarding him, facilitated the offense effectively. Harden’s usage remained steady alongside Leonard, and he focused on playmaking in this contest. Meanwhile, Zubac capitalized on a favorable matchup against the Hornets’ depleted frontcourt, further emphasizing the Clippers’ dominance in the paint.

The Hornets’ Miles Bridges took on a larger offensive role, handling the ball for 4.2 minutes of touch time and driving 17 times. However, he struggled against Derrick Jones Jr.’s defense, highlighting Charlotte’s offensive woes. “We just couldn’t find a rhythm,” Bridges said postgame.

With the win, the Clippers improved to 32-15 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 18-29. Los Angeles now looks ahead to a challenging stretch of games, while Charlotte continues to search for answers without Ball.