The Los Angeles Clippers cruised to a dominant 121-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, improving to 37-30 on the season. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden led the way, each scoring 25 points, with Leonard adding six rebounds and two assists, while Harden contributed eight rebounds and seven assists.
A major turning point in the game came in the third quarter, where the Clippers overwhelmed the Hawks 35-8. Clippers forward Ben Simmons, who returned to action after a seven-game absence due to a lingering knee injury, played a key role in that stretch, which was his first action after missing seven games with a knee injury.
Simmons, who joined the Clippers in February after a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets, finished the night with two points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals off the bench. His impact, however, went beyond the stat sheet.
Following the game, Kawhi Leonard spoke on Simmons' performance.
"He's been good," Leonard said. "Tonight... pushing the pace, finding open guys in transition, and able to guard. He's doing a great job."
Kawhi Leonard talks about playing with Ben Simmons and finding their groove after win over #Hawks. #Clippers@3ptCnvrsn#NBA#ClippersNation#3ptcnvrsnpic.twitter.com/sbQ4OrWDgE
— Raphael Haynes (@rahaynes_) March 15, 2025
While Simmons has yet to return to the All-Star form he displayed with the Philadelphia 76ers, he has been a valuable asset for the Clippers since joining the team.
In his six games with LA, Simmons is averaging 6.0 points, 4.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 53.6% from the field. With the Clippers aiming for a deep playoff run, Simmons' health will be crucial. If he can stay on the court, he could be a key contributor for the team down the stretch.
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