March 7, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives toward the basket during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Image Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Darius Garland and Benedict Maturin each added 21 and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to beat the host Memphis Grizzlies 123-120 on Saturday night.
Leonard was 8-for-15 on field goal attempts and 12-for-14 from the foul line for the Clippers, who earned their fourth win in five games. Derrick Jones Jr. had 16 points, Jordan Miller had 14 points and Isaiah Jackson had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies, who were trying to win the series for the fourth straight season, were led by Ty Jerome, who recorded 23 points and a game-high 7 assists. Taylor Hendrix came off the bench and scored 18 points, Cedric Coward added 15 points and 7 rebounds, and GG Jackson finished with 14 points and 7 boards. Memphis suffered its sixth loss in eight games.
Memphis played without star guard Ja Morant for 20 consecutive games. Morant last played on Jan. 21 against the Atlanta Hawks before suffering a left elbow sprain. Team officials said Morant will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The Grizzlies led 90-89 heading into the final quarter, but the Clippers quickly took control and held a five-point possession to take a nine-point advantage at 101-92. Garland hit a 3-pointer after Brook Lopez missed a free throw as part of a layup 3-point play.
Memphis battled back and eventually regained the lead on two occasions, the last on Walter Clayton Jr.’s driving layup to make it 118-117 with 2:13 left.
Leonard hit a steal and two free throws with 1:30 left to put the Clippers back up 119-118. Los Angeles failed to follow the rest of the way. Maturin made two key free throws with 4.4 seconds left in the game.
Jerome had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt failed.
Memphis built a 19-point lead early in the second quarter, thanks to 10 3-pointers in the first quarter. However, the Clippers counterattacked with Leonard scoring 15 of his 20 points in the second half. Los Angeles regained the lead late in the second quarter and trailed by just one point at halftime, 59-58.
The Grizzlies finished 16 of 43 (37.2%) from beyond the arc, while the Clippers finished 4 of 17 (23.5%).
–Field level media
