Leonard's 41-point game powers Clippers to a 128-108 victory over the Rockets

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 41 points and James Harden added 29 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Houston Rockets 128-108 on Tuesday night.

Leonard shot 16 for 23 from the field and 4 for 5 from long distance as the Clippers won consecutive games for just the second time this season. Los Angeles was coming off a 103-88 win over the Lakers on Saturday that snapped a five-game skid. The Clippers also won consecutive games Oct. 24-26, against Phoenix and Portland.

Harden, who shot 7 for 14 from the field and 3 for 8 from long distance, was helped by 12-for-13 shooting from the line.

John Collins and Kobe Sanders added 13 points apiece and Kris Dunn scored 11 for Los Angeles, which shot 54% (20 for 37) from 3-point range.

Kevin Durant scored 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and Alperen Sengun finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, which was 9 for 30 (30%) from long distance.

Amen Thompson added 19 points for Houston, and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16 for the Rockets, who have lost four of their last five games.

The Clippers, who trailed by six points after one period, outscored Houston 34-23 in the second and led 63-58 at the break. The Rockets were helped by 10-for-22 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. Leonard had 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the opening quarters and Harden scored 11.

Durant had 17 first-half points to lead the Rockets. Sengun scored 15 and Smith had 11.

The Clippers led 98-82 after three periods.

Rockets: At Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Clippers: At Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

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

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) looks to pass under defense by Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reaches for a loose ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, center, fights for position with Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, left, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 23 points and 14 assists, Jalen Duren had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons beat the Sacramento Kings 136-127 on Tuesday night.

Tobias Harris scored 24 points for the Pistons, who have won nine of 11.

Duren's double-double was his fourth straight and 17th of the season. Ausar Thompson had 19 points for Detroit, and Isaiah Stewart added 16 points off the bench.

DeMar DeRozan scored 37 points and Russell Westbrook had 27 for the Kings, who have lost 10 of 12.

Westbrook had four assists to reach 10,140 for his career, one short of Magic Johnson for seventh in NBA history.

The Pistons, who lead the NBA in points in the paint at 58.1 per game, had 70 points inside to the Kings' 48.

Detroit led 75-58 at halftime and 115-97 after three quarters. Sacramento closed within eight in the final period but got no closer.

Pistons: At Utah on Friday.

Kings: Host Dallas on Saturday.

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

Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) goes for a layup during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Detroit Pistons guard Caris Levert (8) goes for a layup during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) ,right, dribbles past Sacramento Kings guard Demar Derozan (10) ,left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)