Kawhi Leonard Calls Out Clippers After Lakers Loss

By Rowan Fisher-ShottonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 135-118 at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, closing group play of the NBA Cup and extending L.A.’s winning streak to five games while the Clippers fell further into a slump.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with a 43‑point, 13‑assist, nine‑rebound night, while LeBron James added 25 points and Austin Reaves finished with 31, including an 18‑point fourth quarter that sealed the win.

Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup and played 28 minutes, finishing with 19 points (6‑14 FG), five rebounds, and three assists, plus a team‑high -14 plus/minus, while James Harden led the Clippers with 29 points.

The Clippers’ supporting pieces produced mixed results: John Collins (18 points) and Ivica Zubac (10 points, 10 rebounds) contributed, but the team shot inconsistently and couldn't regain momentum in the fourth quarter.

After the loss, Leonard gave a blunt assessment of the team's current state.

"Just got to get the right lineups on the court, I guess. Get some more talent, play with better talent, and see what happens."

When asked whether he meant internal or external changes, Leonard said, "I mean, we need to play better. We all have to make shots, move the ball more, trust each other, and just get better."

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Read More: LeBron James’ NBA Future Unclear Ahead of Lakers-Clippers

The Clippers have endured a disappointing start to the 2025-26 NBA season, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference with a 5-13 mark and a negative (-6) net rating that points to problems on both ends of the floor.

All-Star guard Bradley Beal suffered a season-ending hip injury six games into the season after signing with the team on a two-year deal in July, and Leonard has appeared in just seven of 18 games.

Leonard has averaged 23.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals in 32.6 minutes per game, but his limited availability has put more pressure on Harden and the Clippers' supporting cast.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.

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Read More: LaMelo Ball Sends Clear Message to Hornets Amid Trade Rumors

LA entered the year with optimism of competing for one of the top seeds in the West and making a deep playoff run.

Unfortunately, we're almost a quarter of the way through, and there's already pressure to win now just to save the season.

Kawhi's comments are a clear message to the front office and coaching staff that lineup construction, offensive efficiency, and chemistry must be addressed quickly.

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