Kahwi Leonard Shatters Personal Record with 55 Points as Clippers Overcome Pistons 112-99

Key Takeaways:

• Kawhi Leonard delivered a career-high 55 points as the Clippers claimed a 112-99 win over the Detroit Pistons
• Leonard scored 26 points in the third quarter and finished just one free throw shy of perfection, ending a run of 64 consecutive makes this month
• The Clippers secured a season-best fourth successive victory, while the Pistons endured consecutive defeats for only the second time this season

Match Overview

Kawhi Leonard produced an outstanding display, registering a career-best 55 points to propel the Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-99 triumph over the league-leading Detroit Pistons at Inglewood on Sunday night. The performance not only marked Leonard’s best scoring output but also extended the Clippers’ winning streak to four games – their longest streak of the season.

James Harden added significant support with 28 points, while Nicolas Batum chipped in 12 points of his own. Leonard bolstered his impressive tally with 11 rebounds and five steals, showcasing both offensive prowess and defensive commitment. The Clippers, who had previously endured a challenging spell with 10 defeats out of 11, have found renewed momentum throughout their current run.

CLIPPERS WIN AGAIN!!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/W6UstdKY0l

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 29, 2025

Leonard’s Efficient Shooting and Historic Feat

Leonard demonstrated supreme efficiency, finishing 17-of-26 from the field, including five made three-pointers from ten attempts. At the free-throw line, he converted 16 of 17 attempts, with the only miss occurring in the third quarter – a moment that ended an impressive streak of 64 consecutive free throws during the month. Notably, Leonard collected 26 points in the third quarter alone and finished the first half with 25.

With this performance, Leonard became just the second player in Clippers history to notch at least 40 points in back-to-back home games, joining Bob McAdoo in this exclusive club.

Clippers Rely on Veteran Line-up

Experience was on full display for Los Angeles, as three starters – Harden, Batum, and Brook Lopez – are each aged 36 or older. Every starter in the line-up was in his 30s, with Kris Dunn at 31 and Leonard at 34, underscoring the team’s veteran leadership. The Clippers competed without centre Ivica Zubac for a third straight match but showed no signs of slowing down.

Game Flow and Key Moments

The Clippers set the tone straight away, opening a 16-6 cushion within the first four minutes through a Harden three-pointer. By halftime, Los Angeles led by as many as 20 points, powered by Leonard’s scoring surge. While Detroit trimmed the deficit to nine points on two occasions in the third quarter, the Clippers responded emphatically with a 16-5 run, pushing the margin to 81-61 following another Leonard triple.

Pistons’ Top Performers

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 27 points despite being held scoreless in the opening half due to foul trouble. Jalen Duren recorded a double-double, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey contributed 11 points. The Pistons have now suffered consecutive losses for only the second time this campaign.

Looking Ahead

• Pistons will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday
• Clippers will remain at home to host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday