Clippers extend win streak to 4 with 138-100 rout of Spurs

Published Jan. 27, 2023 1:00 a.m. ET

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George scored 35 points, Kawhi Leonard added 27 and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 138-100 rout of the reeling San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

It was the fifth time this season George has had at least 35 points. He is averaging 22.4 points after he missed five games earlier this month due to right hamstring soreness.

George was 14 of 19 from the field, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc as the Clippers posted their largest winning margin since 2021. It was only the 11th time they have won a game by at least 38 points.

Leonard was 10 of 16 from the field.

Keldon Johnson scored 19 points for San Antonio, while Isaiah Roby scored 14 and Keita Bates-Diop 13. The Spurs have dropped nine of their last 10 and 12 of their 14.

The Clippers have won seven of their past nine against the Spurs and swept the four-game season series for the first time since 1996-97.

Los Angeles, which shot 58.4% from the field and made 18 3-pointers, led the entire game. It had a double-digit lead for the final 38 minutes and was up 41-25 at the end of the first quarter.

ROAD WOES

San Antonio lost for the 18th time in 23 road games and has dropped 10 straight away from home. It is the fifth time in franchise history the Spurs have dropped at least 10 straight road games in a season. Their in-season longest road losing streak is 12 set during the 1985-86 season.

The Spurs' overall away losing mark is 22 games, which started in the 1988-89 season and extended to the following campaign.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Fell to 1-7 in the second game of a back-to-back. ... Rookie Jeremy Sochan did not play after sustaining a quad injury during the fourth quarter Wednesday.

Clippers: Luke Kennard returned to the lineup and had five points in 17 minutes. Kennard has missed 20 games this season due to a right calf injury. ... Marcus Morris Sr. did not play due to a rib contusion. ... Norman Powell had 15 points off the bench and Robert Covington added 13. ... Leonard made two 3-pointers to reach 900 for his career.

UP NEXT

Spurs: Return home to face the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.

Clippers: Begin a six-game road trip on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports