Norman Powell recorded his first career double-double, posting 31 points and 12 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 107-98 on Friday night, earning their third consecutive win.
James Harden added 22 points for the Clippers, who led for most of the game. They entered the fourth quarter with a 78-73 advantage and quickly extended the lead with a 16-5 run to start the final period.
Kevin Porter Jr. contributed nine points in the fourth, helping Los Angeles withstand a late rally by Sacramento, who cut the lead to just four points with under three minutes remaining.
De’Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 31 points, while Domantas Sabonis chipped in 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Harden’s 15-point first quarter and Powell’s 11-point second quarter helped the Clippers take a 51-45 lead into halftime.
For the Clippers, this victory marked their first time above .500 this season after starting 2-4, as they continue to hold things together in the absence of star Kawhi Leonard, who is sidelined with knee inflammation. Powell and Harden are both averaging over 20 points per game in Leonard’s absence.
Sacramento struggled from beyond the arc, finishing just 3-of-26 on 3-pointers, including one made 3 in the second half. The Kings, who rank near the bottom in 3-point shooting this season, closed a 16-point deficit to four late in the game, but Powell and Amir Coffey responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead back to double digits.
Powell has been on a tear to start the season, scoring 20 or more points in eight consecutive games. He also secured his first career double-double in his 10th season, taking full advantage of the extra minutes with Leonard injured and both Russell Westbrook and Paul George no longer with the team.