Harden, Leonard each score 25 points as Clippers ride lopsided 3rd quarter to 121-97 win over Hawks

ATLANTA (AP) — James Harden and Kawhi Leonard each scored 25 points, with Harden scoring 13 in a dominant third quarter for Los Angeles, and the Clippers beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-98 on Friday night.

Leonard set a season high with five steals. Harden had eight rebounds and seven assists.

After trailing 61-53 at halftime, the Clippers outscored the Hawks 35-8 in a lopsided third quarter.

Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, making his return to Atlanta, scored 12 points and received an ovation and video tribute during a first-quarter timeout.

The Clippers acquired Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks from the Hawks in exchange for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland on Feb. 6. The Hawks waived Hyland.

Onyeka Okongwu led Atlanta with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Clippers: Coach Tyronn Lue joked “I'm playing 48 tonight” when asked if he was on a minutes restriction in his return after missing three games with lower back soreness. ... F/G Ben Simmons (left knee) scored two points with four assists in 18 minutes as a backup in his return after missing seven games.

Hawks: C Clint Capela (family reasons) did not play. ... Trae Young, who made all 21 free throws in a 123-110 win over Charlotte on Wednesday night, scored 17 points while shooting 3 of 4 from the foul line with seven assists and seven turnovers.

After trailing 61-50 late in the first half, the Clippers scored 14 consecutive points. The streak began with Nicolas Batum's 3-pointer to end the first half and the first 11 points of the second half for a 64-61 lead. Following the last tie at 67, Los Angeles scored 19 consecutive points to lead 86-67.

Atlanta's eight third-quarter points set a season low for a quarter.

Each team plays on Sunday, when the Clippers host Charlotte and the Hawks visit the Brooklyn Nets.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1), right, attempts to pass the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5), left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1), left, attempts to pass the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Dominick Barlow (0), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder sets the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum makes a slam dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) makes a free throw during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8), left, makes a basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25), left, attempts to pass the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Dominick Barlow (0), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stands on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (10), left, moves the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Caris LeVert (3), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1), right, attempts to move the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5), left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2), left, moves the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye (18), right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)