NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden had 29 points, six rebounds and six assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points and the Los Angeles Clippers prevented the New York Knicks from clinching a playoff berth with a 126-113 victory Wednesday night.
Norman Powell added 19 points and Ivica Zubac finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who improved to 41-31 and tied Golden State for sixth place in the Western Conference, the final guaranteed postseason place.
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New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) looks to drive past LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) drives past New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) drives between New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and Tyler Kolek during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks the ball over LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots over New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) looks to pass around LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Karl-Anthony Towns had 34 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who were looking to follow Cleveland and Boston and become the third team to wrap up a spot in the East.
The Knicks started impressively on the second night of a back-to-back, going 8 for 9 en route to an 18-5 lead. But the Clippers blew by them with a 16-3 run to end the third quarter and broke it open in the fourth.
Clippers: Los Angeles bounced back from a loss to Oklahoma City that snapped its five-game winning streak and got off to a good start on a four-game road trip as it tries to avoid the play-in tournament.
Knicks: The Knicks fell to 5-5 without Jalen Brunson (sprained right ankle) and are running out of point guards. Deuce McBride, his original replacement, was out with a strained left groin and Cam Payne missed the second half after spraining his right ankle while scoring 15 points in the first half.
With the Clippers down 81-78, Harden scored their next 11 points, hitting three 3-pointers, to power the 16-3 finish to the third quarter.
A night after his first triple-double with the Knicks, Towns had his 18th game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, tying Patrick Ewing for third-most in a season by a Knicks player.
The Clippers stay in New York to visit Brooklyn on Friday. The Knicks visit Milwaukee on Friday.
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New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) looks to drive past LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) drives past New York Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) drives between New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) and Tyler Kolek during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dunks the ball over LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots over New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
LA Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) looks to pass around LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
