Clippers narrowly defeat Kings to maintain playoff position
- James Harden and Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in scoring during a tightly contested match.
- The Kings made a strong push in the fourth quarter but couldn't secure the win.
- With this victory, the Clippers maintain their playoff position in a tightly contested Western Conference.
On April 11, 2025, in Sacramento, California, the Los Angeles Clippers secured a tight victory against the Sacramento Kings with a final score of 101-100. James Harden performed exceptionally, contributing 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Kawhi Leonard led the scoring for the Clippers with 28 points. The game was intense, especially in the fourth quarter, where the Kings rallied from behind and managed to close the gap significantly, even reaching a point where they trailed by just two points with under a minute remaining. The Clippers aimed to keep their playoff hopes alive as they were tied with the Denver Nuggets for the fourth seed in the Western Conference of the NBA, both holding a record of 49-32 with only one regular-season game left to play. The Kings, despite their strong efforts, fell just short of claiming the win. DeMar DeRozan had a chance to clinch the game at the buzzer with a contested three-point shot, but it hit the backboard and missed, solidifying the Clippers' victory. The game also highlighted a significant moment when Kings' interim coach Doug Christie received a technical foul after a controversial foul call late in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine led the Kings in scoring with 26 points, and Domantas Sabonis recorded another double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. This outcome not only emphasizes the competitive nature of the teams in the Western Conference but also sets the stage for the forthcoming playoffs as teams fight for favorable seeding.