Kawhi Leonard and James Harden shine as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Charlotte Hornets 117-109. Leonard scores 35 points, and Harden moves into ninth place on the NBA's scoring list with 32 points. The Clippers secure their fourth win in five games, while the Hornets suffer their third loss in four games. Jordan Miller and Ivica Zubac contribute 14 and 9 points, respectively, for the Clippers. LaMelo Ball leads the Hornets with 25 points, but it's Harden's 3-pointer that propels him past Shaquille O'Neal's 28,596 points, a milestone that had been just 14 points away earlier in the game. Harden's scoring prowess is on full display, with 13 points in the first half and eight in the fourth quarter, including a crucial 15-1 run that extends the Clippers' lead. The Hornets make a late push, but it's not enough to overcome the Clippers' lead. Leonard's five 3-pointers in the third quarter and Harden's free throws and layup contribute to the Clippers' 73-64 lead at halftime. The Hornets' LaMelo Ball scores seven consecutive points, but the Clippers respond with a layup by Brandon Miller, securing their 86-84 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Clippers' victory marks a strong performance, with Leonard and Harden's scoring prowess and the team's solid contributions from Miller and Zubac.
