By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:42 EST, 25 January 2026 | Updated: 23:42 EST, 25 January 2026
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Kawhi Leonard scored 21 of his 28 points in the first half as the Los Angeles Clippers built a 38-point lead in the second quarter and beat the Brooklyn Nets 126-89 on Sunday.
James Harden scored 19 points, John Collins added 18, and Jordan Miller had 16. Ivica Zubac finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Clippers, who were coming off a victory over the Lakers on Thursday, won for the eighth time in nine games.
Danny Wolf scored 14 points and Egor Demin had 12 for the Nets, who shot 28% in the first half and 34% (29 for 86) overall, including 21% (9 for 43) from 3-point range. Brooklyn lost its fourth straight and has dropped 10 of its last 11 games and 13 of 15.
The Nets were coming off a double-overtime loss on Friday to the Boston Celtics, who are in second place in the Eastern Conference. Two days earlier, Brooklyn was beaten 120-66 by the New York Knicks.
The Clippers charged to a 24-point lead in the first quarter and extended their advantage to 38 points in the second, carrying a 68-37 lead into the break. Los Angeles maintained its lopsided advantage in the third quarter and was ahead 96-66 headed into the fourth.
It was another lopsided win for the Clippers over the Nets in Los Angeles. When the teams met in LA on Jan. 15, 2025, the Clippers won 126-67, and the 59-point margin of victory is the only 50-point win for the Clippers.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Tyrese Martin (13) and forward Ziaire Williams (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Nets: At the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in the second game of a five-game trip.
Clippers: At the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Terance Mann (14) pressures Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, center, is defended by Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, left, and forward Michael Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)