Magic Vs Clippers: Leonard scores 37 but Clippers fall 111-109
In a close finish at Intuit Dome on Sunday night, the Orlando Magic held off the Los Angeles Clippers for a 111-109 win in a game that turned on late stops and a blocked shot. The matchup, framed here as magic vs clippers, featured big scoring nights from Desmond Bane and Kawhi Leonard and decisive plays in the final two minutes.
Magic Vs Clippers recap
Desmond Bane led the way for Orlando with 36 points, while Paolo Banchero added 16 points and eight assists as the Magic held on for the 111-109 victory. Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Tristan da Silva scored 13 for Orlando. The Magic improved to 5-2 since Feb. 5.
Clippers scoring and records
Kawhi Leonard shrugged off an ankle injury to score 37 points for the Clippers. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 21 points and nine rebounds off the bench and missed a three-point attempt to win the game at the buzzer. Jordan Miller had 14 points for the Clippers, who are 27-30 on the season and 4-5 since Feb. 2. Mathurin was playing in his fifth game for the Clippers after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Indiana Pacers.
Late game sequence and decisive plays
The final stretch unfolded in a tight game throughout. Leonard gave the Clippers a 107-105 lead with 3: 03 remaining on a jumper from the top of the key. The Magic countered when Bane hit a jumper to tie the score and then made a layup with 1: 28 left to push Orlando ahead 109-107. As the Clippers missed four consecutive shots, Orlando extended the lead to 111-107 on a fast-break dunk from Banchero with 40 seconds remaining.
Final seconds and blocked attempt
With eight seconds left, Bane tried to pad the Magic’s lead but had his shot blocked inside by rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Mathurin then raced down the floor and launched a 25-footer as time expired that missed, sealing the 111-109 result and ending the game without a final Clippers game-winning field goal.
Shooting, recent form and absences
Orlando won despite going eight of 23 from three-point range, two games after setting a franchise record with 27 three-pointers in a victory at Sacramento. Jalen Suggs missed his second consecutive game for the Magic with back spasms. Leonard had exited Friday’s loss against the Lakers with an ankle sprain but was able to play Sunday and score 37 points.
The sequence of late possessions, a blocked attempt by Niederhauser and Mathurin’s buzzer miss defined the finish. The final line was 111-109 in favor of the Magic, with Desmond Bane’s 36 and Kawhi Leonard’s 37 headlining a tight contest at the Intuit Dome on Sunday night.
