Coast-to-coast: Clutch Kawhi strikes for Clippers; Spurs continue winning ways

On the penultimate day before the 2026 All-Star Weekend, Kawhi Leonard drained a game-winner against the Rockets, Nikola Jokic cruised to another triple-double, and the San Antonio Spurs pulled off a a gutsy comeback to remain as the hottest team in the league. 

KAWHI RESCUES CLIPPERS; RANDLE DROPS TWOLVES-HIGH 41 

• LA Clippers (26-28) def. Houston Rockets (33-20), 105-102: Kawhi Leonard capped a 19-point fourth quarter by hitting the game-winning three-pointer, propelling the Clippers to a nail-biting victory over the Rockets.

[RELATED: NBA: Kawhi Leonard fires 19 in 4Q, hits game-winner as Clippers nip Rockets]

• Minnesota Timberwolves (34-22) def. Portland Trail Blazers (26-29), 133-109: Julius Randle posted a Timberwolves career-high 41 points, leading Minnesota to a 24-point rout of the Trail Blazers.

Randle poured in 23 points in the fourth quarter alone, nearly outscoring Portland’s entire team output of 27 in that period.

• Cleveland Cavaliers (34-21) def. Washington Wizards (14-39), 138-113: The red-hot Cavaliers are now 3-0 since acquiring superstar James Harden, with their latest win coming in a 25-point rout of the Wizards.

Cleveland will now enter the All-Star break on a five-game winning streak.

[RELATED: NBA: Cavaliers improve to 3-0 after getting James Harden with rout of Wizards]

• Charlotte Hornets (26-29) def. Atlanta Hawks (26-30), 110-107: After seeing their nine-game winning streak snapped, the Hornets got back on track with a win over the Hawks.

Brandon Miller led the way with 31 points, LaMelo Ball scored 24 points including seven three-pointers, and Kon Knapple added 18 points to help Charlotte notch its 10th win in 11 games.

• Milwaukee Bucks (22-30) def. Orlando Magic (28-25), 116-108: In only his second game with Milwaukee, Cam Thomas poured in 34 points to halt the Magic’s three-game winning streak.

• Boston Celtics (35-19) def. Chicago Bulls (24-31), 124-105: Against his former team, the Bulls, Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Celtics to their sixth win in seven games.

• Indiana Pacers (15-40) def. Brooklyn Nets (15-38), 115-110: Kam Jones hit the go-ahead triple with 16.8 seconds left, sealing the Pacers’ gutsy 18-point comeback against the Nets on the road. 

JOKIC DROPS FOURTH STRAIGHT TRIP-DUB; SPURS STAY SHARP 

• Denver Nuggets (35-20) def. Memphis Grizzlies (20-33), 122-116: Nikola Jokic posted 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists for his fourth consecutive triple-double in the latest Nuggets conquest of the Grizzlies.

Jokic now has a league-leading 20th triple-double of the season and the 184th of his career, as he and teammate Jamal Murray turn their attention to the upcoming All-Star Game.

• San Antonio Spurs (38-16) def. Golden State Warriors (29-26), 126-113: De’Aaron Fox sparked a 16-point comeback as the Spurs beat the Stephen Curry-less Warriors to extend their winning streak to six heading into the All-Star break.

[RELATED: NBA: Spurs rally from 16 down to best Warriors for sixth straight win]

• New York Knicks (35-20) def. Philadelphia 76ers (30-24), 138-89: Jose Alvarado erupted for 26 points, hit eight three-pointers and added five steals in just 19 minutes, helping the Knicks record their second-largest win in franchise history at the Sixers’ expense. 

• Detroit Pistons (40-13) def. Toronto Raptors (32-23), 113-95: Cade Cunningham and the East-leading Pistons became the second team after defending champion Thunder to reach 40 wins this season after taking care of business against the Raptors.

[RELATED: NBA: Cunningham, Pistons are second team to get 40 wins after dominating Raptors]

• OKC Thunder (42-13) def. Phoenix Suns (32-23), 136-109: Jalen Williams scored 28 points as the Thunder will enter the All-Star break with the league’s best record after whipping the Suns in Phoenix.

• Utah Jazz (18-37) def. Sacramento Kings (12-44), 121-93: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen poured in 42 points between them, powering the Jazz past Kings as Sacramento fell to a franchise-worst 14th straight defeat.

• Miami Heat (29-27) def. New Orleans Pelicans (15-41), 123-111: Bam Adebayo dazzled with a double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds, helping the undermanned Heat stave off a late Pelicans rally.

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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.

Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.