Kawhi Leonard comes alive late to lead Clippers over 76ers, 108-107

Clippers 76ers Basketball

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kawhi Leonard completed two 3-point plays late in the game then made a block at the rim on the final possession to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. during the final minute of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Paul George had 22 points for Los Angeles while Leonard added 17. James Harden, in his return to Wells Fargo Center, had 16 points and 14 assists for the Clippers, who had lost six of nine.

Tyrese Maxey had 26 points for the 76ers while Kelly Oubre Jr. added 17 points, but was stuffed at the rim by Leonard on a play that Sixers head coach Nick Nurse felt should have resulted in a foul.

Nurse stormed onto the court after the game to dispute the ending with officials and had to be restrained by his assistants.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, center, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris, right, and Tyrese Maxey during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Leonard scored with 44 seconds left, was fouled by Tobias Harris and hot the free throw to give Los Angeles a 105-104 lead. Sixers guard Buddy Hield responded with a long 3-pointer to give Philadelphia a 107-105 lead with 23 seconds to play.

After a timeout, Leonard sliced down an empty lane with a reverse layup and added the free throw after being fouled by Oubre to give the Clippers a one-point lead again. Oubre drove the lane at the other end of the floor, but Leonard pinned the ball against the rim and backboard.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Mo Bamba during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Harden played 1 1/2 seasons for the 76ers before being traded to Los Angeles on Oct. 31 as part of a seven-player deal after a public summer contract dispute with Daryl Morey, Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, left, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Harden was greeted by boos when he was the first Clippers player introduced, then was heckled every time he touched the ball. After a sluggish start, Harden began to assert himself on the offensive end and distribute the ball. He was 6 of 15 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Continue their four-game road trip in Orlando Friday night.

76ers: At Cleveland on Friday night.

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Clippers 76ers Basketball

Philadelphia 76ers’ Nick Nurse, third from right, reacts to officials after the 76ers lost an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers’ Nick Nurse, center, and Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) react to officials after the 76ers lost an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers’ Buddy Hield, center, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Norman Powell during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia 76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr., center, goes up for a shot against Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac, right, and Terance Mann during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)