25 Jan 2025; Ingrlewood, California, USA; La Clippers guard James Harden (1) and guard Norman Powell (24) celebrates during the second half against Milwaukee Bucks on Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images James Harden scored 17 of his 40 points during the third quarter and Norman Powell posted 33 points when Los Angeles Clippers finished a victory 127-117 over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks at Inglewood, Calif.
Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points, while matching a season high with 24 minutes in his seventh match this season. Ivica Zubac had 12 points and 10 returns when Clippers went 3-2 over a distance of five matches in seven days.
The Clippers used a 14-0 run during the fourth quarter to turn a deficit of 100-98 into a lead of 112-100. The hard, which had nine assists, scored the last six points in the race.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points with 13 returns, and Damian Lillard had 29 points with 10 returns and 10 assists for his fifth career triple when Bucks saw a five-match winning line ended.
Gary Trent Jr. Scored 19 points, Taurean Prince added 14 and Brook Lopez had 13 for Milwaukee, which opened a four-game road trip.
Leonard, who is on a few minutes of restriction after his return from the tenderness of the knee, left the game for the last time during the third quarter just like the Harden began to take responsibility.
Harden made Clippers last 15 points of the third when Los Angeles entered the final period with an advantage of 94-93.
Antetokounmpo scored six points in a row during the fourth quarter to get Bucks within 114-106 with 5:07 left. Hardden added the last three points in a 7-2 run to set Los Angeles up 121-108 with 4:07 left.
Harden reached 40 points for the third time this season on a free throw with 2:31 left when Kippers took a lead of 125-112. Bucks never came within single numbers the rest of the way.
During a competitive first half, the game was 28-28 after a block, with Bucks up 59-58 at half time. Bucks led from as many as 11 points in the opening half, while the Clippers led by as many as five despite shooting only 36.5 percent in half.
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