In a dramatic NBA Cup pool-play showdown at the Intuit Dome, Kawhi Leonard delivered a clutch 22-foot jumper with just 0.4 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Clippers a thrilling 126-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
🔥 Leonard and Harden Lead the Way for L.A.
Leonard was sensational throughout the night, scoring 34 points on efficient shooting and showing his trademark calm in crunch time. James Harden added 24 points and 14 assists, orchestrating the Clippers’ offense and keeping the pace under control when New Orleans tried to rally. The Clippers’ depth and composure proved decisive, especially in the final minute when they executed perfectly after Zion tied the game with two clutch free throws.
⚡ Zion and Poole Keep Pelicans in the Fight
Despite the loss, the Pelicans displayed heart and resilience. Zion Williamson scored 29 points, including 11 in the final quarter, nearly leading his team to an improbable comeback.
Jordan Poole was electric off the bench, dropping 30 points and giving the Pelicans a much-needed offensive spark whenever the Clippers threatened to pull away.
New Orleans trailed by double digits in the second half but stormed back thanks to aggressive defense and transition scoring. However, their final defensive stand came up just short against Leonard’s heroics.
🏀 Key Stats
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Clippers: 52.3% FG, 14/33 3PT, 28 assists
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Pelicans: 49.8% FG, 13/31 3PT, 40 points from the bench
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Lead changes: 14
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Largest lead: Clippers by 15
🧠 Takeaways
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Clutch DNA: Kawhi Leonard continues to prove he’s one of the NBA’s most reliable closers.
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Pelicans’ resilience: Despite the loss, New Orleans showed impressive depth and mental toughness.
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NBA Cup intensity: Both teams treated the matchup with playoff-level energy, showing how competitive the new in-season tournament has quickly become.
The Clippers will look to build on this momentum as they continue NBA Cup play and aim to stay atop the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans, meanwhile, will regroup and focus on tightening their late-game defense heading into their next matchup.
