Kawhi on a Heater, Clippers on a Hot Streak

Cover photo: Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Kawhi Leonard in action on Dec. 28, 2025 against the Detroit Pistons. Photo credit: William Liang, Associated Press.

Los Angeles Clippers’ star forward Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 55 points on Sunday night in his team’s 112-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Intuit Dome, bringing the Clippers’ record to 10-21 and placing their winning streak at four games.

Leonard was scorching on the night, making 17-of-26 from the field, 16-of-17 from the free-throw line and 5-of-6 from 3-point range. His double-nickel ties teammate James Harden for the franchise record. On Nov. 22 of this year, Harden poured in 55 (17-of-26 from the field, 10-of-16 from downtown, 11-of-14 from the line) in a 131-116 win at the Charlotte Hornets. 

Only four other Clippers have reached or exceeded 50 points in a game. Harden also reached the mark on March 5, 2025 against the Pistons. On Dec. 1, 1990, forward Charles Smith made 17-of-27 shots and 18-of-21 from the line for 52 points in a 137-121 Clippers’ victory at the Denver Nuggets. As a Buffalo Brave, Bob McAdoo produced two 52-point games, one of 51 points, and one of 50. On Feb. 22, 1974 in a 116-109 loss against the Boston Celtics, the Hall of Famer scored 52 points (with 22 rebounds and 7 blocks) on 20-of-28 from the field and 12-of-14 from the line in 48 minutes. On March 17, 1976 at the Seattle SuperSonics, ‘Doo scored 52 with 11 rebounds in 45 minutes on 18-of-26 from the field and 16-of-22 from the line. On March 18, 1975, the power forward posted 51 points (20 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks) on 22-of-31 from the field and 7-of-9 from the line in a 122-115 loss at the Houston Rockets. McAdoo scored 50 points (20 rebounds, 5 assists) on 22-of-32 from the field and 6-of-8 from the line on Nov. 20, 1975 in a 118-115 win at the Cleveland Cavaliers. On Jan. 10, 2018, guard Lou Williams scored 50 (16-of-27 from the field, 8-of-16 from deep, 10-of-10 from the line) in a 125-106 win at the Golden State Warriors. Freeman Williams on Jan. 19, 1980 scored 51 points on 22-of-34 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 5-of-6 from the line in a 137-123 San Diego Clipper loss at the Phoenix Suns. 

This current iteration of the Clippers was a dismal 6-21 after a 122-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 18. That game was the last of five-game losing streak. From Nov. 3-12, the team lost six consecutive, and lost three in a row from Nov. 16-20 and five consecutive from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. Leonard has done his part during this short winning streak, scoring 32 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 20 and 41 against the Rockets on Dec. 23. On Dec. 26, Harden scored 34 at Portland, and on Sunday aided Leonard with 28 points on 11-of-11 from the line. 

The 2025-26 Clippers went into this season with big expectations with the acquisitions of Bradley Beal and Chris Paul. But Beal’s hip injury (he will miss the rest of the season), Paul’s odd and abrupt exit from the team after minimal production, and a left ankle sprain to budding star center Ivica Zubac (out at least three weeks) has stretched the Clippers thin. 

The onus is on Leonard and Harden, and Leonard with vintage performances has taken it upon himself (27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists on 49.5% shooting in 21 games this season) to try and resurrect the team. During their streak, the Clippers have won games by 15, 20, 16, and 13 points, and with the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 30 and Utah Jazz on New Year’s Day, they have a pretty good chance at making their four consecutive wins six consecutive.