Clippers beat the Jazz 115-103 behind Leonard's 25th straight game with more than 20 points

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, James Harden had 16 points and 10 assists, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Utah Jazz 115-103 on Tuesday night for their ninth win in 10 games.

Kris Dunn added 14 points and a season-best five steals for the Clippers (22-24), who have the best record in the NBA since Christmas. They have won 16 of their last 19 games — immediately after going 3-16 in their previous 19.

The Clippers took control during a 10-2 run in the third quarter powered powered by Dunn’s two steals and layups, along with a 3-pointer that made it 73-61. Los Angeles led by double figures the rest of the way.

Utah's Lauri Markkanen returned after missing seven games due to illness to score 19 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

Ace Bailey scored 20 points and Brice Sensabaugh added 13 but the Jazz (15-32) have dropped seven of their last eight games.

With Leonard on the court, the Clippers are 14-2 in their last 16 games and have won seven straight.

Leonard has scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive games. He joins Bob McAdoo, World B. Free and Blake Griffin as the only players in franchise history with such a streak.

The Jazz were missing their top two playmakers in Jusuf Nurkic (illness), who has had three straight triple-doubles, and Keyonte George (rest), who has averaged 28.8 points in the last five games.

The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot clock violations.

Utah committed 17 turnovers which led to 23 points for Los Angeles. Although the Clippers play at the league's slowest pace, they still topped the Jazz in fast-break points 12-8.

Clippers: Visit Denver on Friday.

Jazz: Host Golden State on Wednesday.

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

Utah Jazz guard Walter Clayton Jr. (13) and forward Lauri Markkanen, right, attempt to defend Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) as he shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Anna Fuder)

Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, left, defends Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Anna Fuder)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey (19) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Anna Fuder)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) and center Brook Lopez (11) celebrate a play during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Anna Fuder)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)