Kawhi Leonard watches from the sidelines as Clippers dominate Mavericks in NBA playoffs

The Los Angeles Clippers proved that they could thrive without Kawhi Leonard as they dominated the Dallas Mavericks in a 109-97 Game 1 win in the first round of the playoffs. Despite Leonard being ruled out before the game, James Harden stepped up with a vintage performance, scoring 28 points to lead the Clippers to victory.

The Clippers’ defense was the key to their success, holding the Mavericks to just 30 points in the first half and limiting them to 22.5% shooting from the field. Dallas struggled to find any rhythm offensively, scoring their lowest first-half total since 2019. Harden and Ivica Zubac combined for 32 first-half points, outscoring the Mavericks on their own.

Although the Mavericks tried to mount a comeback in the second half behind the efforts of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, the Clippers’ lead was insurmountable. Dončić finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Irving added 31 points. However, it was not enough to overcome the Clippers’ dominant performance.

With Leonard sidelined, Harden, George, and Westbrook showcased their talent and depth, proving that they can compete at a high level even without their star player. Leonard’s status moving forward remains uncertain, but the Clippers’ convincing win in Game 1 eases the pressure to rush him back into action. The Clippers will look to carry their momentum into Game 2 as they aim to take a commanding lead in the series.