Leonard’s 34 Points Lead Clippers Past Mavericks in Resilient Victory
Los Angeles Clippers #10 Darius Garland (G) driving to the basket was second in scoring with 22 points against the Dallas Mavericks at the Intuit Dome. Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 April 7, 2026.
INGLEWOOD, CA – The Los Angeles Clippers continued their late-season surge Tuesday night, fending off a gritty comeback attempt from the Dallas Mavericks to secure a 116-103 victory at the Intuit Dome. Behind a masterclass from Kawhi Leonard and a sharp performance from Darius Garland, the Clippers moved to 41-38 on the season, further solidifying their postseason positioning.
Kawhi Leonard was the primary engine for Los Angeles, pouring in 34 points and knocking down six three-pointers. The performance marked Leonard’s 55th consecutive game with 20 or more points, the third-longest such streak in franchise history. Darius Garland provided the necessary secondary punch, finishing with 22 points and four assists, while Derrick Jones Jr. notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Clippers appeared to be heading toward a blowout early, utilizing a 17-0 run to start the game and eventually extending their lead to 23 points in the first half. However, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks refused to fold. Flagg, who finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, led a furious 21-8 run that tied the game at 47-all in the second quarter. After the Mavericks briefly took an 80-77 lead in the third, Leonard took over, scoring seven of the Clippers' final 11 points of the period to reclaim the lead for good.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Clippers’ defense, which limited Dallas to just 19 points in the final 12 minutes. Brook Lopez anchored the interior with 11 rebounds and four blocks, ensuring the Mavericks couldn't mount a final rally.
Head Coach Tyronn Lue praised his team's mental fortitude after they weathered the Mavericks’ third-quarter surge. "I loved our composure when they made their run to tie it up," Lue said during the post-game press conference. "In earlier months, we might have let a game like this slip away. But tonight we didn't panic. We went back to our defensive principles, got the stops we needed, and let Kawhi and Darius close it out."
Post game, Darius Garland emphasized the importance of the win as the team approaches the final week of the regular season. "We knew they were going to make a run—they've got some high-level talent over there—but it was about how we responded," Garland noted. "Getting that early lead was big, but the way we locked in defensively in the fourth quarter is what’s going to help us in the playoffs."
The victory keeps the Clippers on track to potentially reach the 65-game mark for Leonard, which would make him eligible for postseason honors. For the Mavericks, the loss drops them to 25-54 as they continue to lean on the development of their young core.
The Clippers face a quick turnaround as they host the Eastern Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder tonight to complete a back-to-back home stand.