Game ID: 22500535
LA Clippers @ Brooklyn Nets
Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
BKN 25 22 29 29 105LAC 35 28 28 30 121
BKN vs LAC ScoutingBKN vs LAC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
BKN availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Williams missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 27 min (117% of 23)
OUT Saraf missed 7 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 18 min (96% of 19)
OUT Etienne missed 8 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 11 since 12/01, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 19 min since (80% of 24)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 17 min since (83% of 21)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 1 min since (8% of 16)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 30 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT Saraf missed 8 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 9 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 12 since 12/01, returns tonight: 3 min (23% of 13)
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 27 min since (117% of 23)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 20 min since (96% of 21)
BACK Martin back 1/01 after 2, 18 min since (96% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 12 min since (75% of 16)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 31 min over the last 4
BKN availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 1/01, returns tonight: 32 min (99% of 32)
OUT Saraf missed 9 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 10 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 20 min since (84% of 24)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 25 min since (111% of 23)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 20 min since (98% of 21)
BACK Martin back 1/01 after 2, 12 min since (61% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 13 min since (84% of 16)
BACK Liddell back 1/02 after 12, 3 min since (23% of 13)
NEW Dëmin 25 to 30 min over the last 4
BKN availability going into 1/07 · 2 days' restOUT Claxton missed 2 since 1/02, returns tonight: 23 min (83% of 28)
OUT Saraf missed 10 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 11 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 1/04 after 2, 32 min since (99% of 32)
BACK Thomas back 12/27 after 20, 21 min since (86% of 24)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 23 min since (102% of 23)
BACK Powell back 12/27 after 2, 20 min since (95% of 21)
BACK Martin back 1/01 after 2, 12 min since (61% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 12/27 after 2, 13 min since (84% of 16)
BACK Liddell back 1/02 after 12, 3 min since (23% of 13)
BKN availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Saraf missed 11 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 2 since 1/04, out tonight
OUT Wilson missed 2 since 1/04, returns tonight: 2 min (15% of 16)
OUT Etienne missed 12 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 2 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 1/04 after 2, 35 min since (108% of 32)
BACK Claxton back 1/07 after 2, 23 min since (83% of 28)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 24 min since (107% of 23)
NEW Sharpe 19 to 25 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/11 · 1 day's restOUT Saraf missed 12 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Martin missed 3 since 1/04, returns tonight: 22 min (114% of 19)
OUT Etienne missed 13 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 3 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 1/04 after 2, 35 min since (106% of 32)
BACK Claxton back 1/07 after 2, 27 min since (97% of 28)
BACK Williams back 1/01 after 2, 24 min since (107% of 23)
BACK Wilson back 1/09 after 2, 2 min since (15% of 16)
NEW Sharpe 19 to 26 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/12 · back-to-backOUT Williams missed 2 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 13 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 14 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 4 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 1/04 after 2, 35 min since (106% of 32)
BACK Claxton back 1/07 after 2, 27 min since (98% of 28)
BACK Martin back 1/11 after 3, 22 min since (114% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 1/09 after 2, 10 min since (63% of 16)
NEW Sharpe 19 to 26 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Williams missed 3 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 14 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 15 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 5 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 1/04 after 2, 34 min since (105% of 32)
BACK Claxton back 1/07 after 2, 27 min since (96% of 28)
BACK Martin back 1/11 after 3, 21 min since (110% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 1/09 after 2, 12 min since (73% of 16)
NEW Sharpe 19 to 24 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Williams missed 4 since 1/09, out tonight
OUT Saraf missed 15 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Johnson missed 2 since 1/12, out tonight
OUT Etienne missed 16 since 12/06, out tonight
OUT Liddell missed 6 since 1/04, out tonight
BACK Claxton back 1/07 after 2, 27 min since (98% of 28)
BACK Martin back 1/11 after 3, 21 min since (110% of 19)
BACK Wilson back 1/09 after 2, 12 min since (73% of 16)
LAC availability going into 1/01 · 1 day's restOUT Zubac missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 2 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Jones Jr. back 12/28 after 17, 19 min since (71% of 27)
BACK Niederhäuser back 12/23 after 2, 16 min since (158% of 10)
NEW Leonard 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Lopez 22 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Batum 18 to 25 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/03 · 1 day's restOUT Zubac missed 5 since 12/23, returns tonight: 21 min (67% of 31)
OUT Bogdanović missed 3 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Jones Jr. back 12/28 after 17, 21 min since (77% of 27)
BACK Niederhäuser back 12/23 after 2, 18 min since (179% of 10)
NEW Leonard 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Lopez 22 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Batum 18 to 27 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/05 · 1 day's restOUT Bogdanović missed 4 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 1/03 after 5, 21 min since (67% of 31)
BACK Jones Jr. back 12/28 after 17, 22 min since (81% of 27)
NEW Leonard 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Batum 18 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Niederhäuser 10 to 17 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/07 · 1 day's restOUT Bogdanović missed 5 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 1/03 after 5, 27 min since (87% of 31)
BACK Jones Jr. back 12/28 after 17, 22 min since (81% of 27)
NEW Batum 18 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Niederhäuser 10 to 18 min over the last 4
LAC availability going into 1/09 · 1 day's restOUT Jones Jr. missed 2 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 6 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 1/03 after 5, 28 min since (91% of 31)
LAC availability going into 1/10 · back-to-backOUT Jones Jr. missed 3 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 7 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 1/03 after 5, 27 min since (88% of 31)
LAC availability going into 1/12 · 1 day's restOUT Jones Jr. missed 4 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 8 since 12/28, out tonight
BACK Zubac back 1/03 after 5, 28 min since (91% of 31)
NEW Collins 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/14 · 1 day's restOUT Jones Jr. missed 5 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 9 since 12/28, out tonight
NEW Collins 27 to 33 min over the last 5
LAC availability going into 1/16 · 1 day's restOUT Jones Jr. missed 6 since 1/05, out tonight
OUT Bogdanović missed 10 since 12/28, out tonight
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 29 and Dëmin at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Saraf (11 straight), Martin (2 straight), Wilson (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 112, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Leonard at 30 and Harden at 20 a game. Without Jones Jr. (2 straight), Bogdanović (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Clippers have been minus-0 a night and Brooklyn minus-8 and the turnovers, Brooklyn giving it away 15 times a game to the Clippers' 11. Call it the Clippers 113, Brooklyn 112, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/01 vs HOU 96-120 — BKN notes
BKN lost 96-120. BKN shot 45% (34 of 76) to HOU's 57%, 10 of 30 from three, and went to the line 30 times to HOU's 18 — 18 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 27-45 against them. Thomas led with 21 (8 of 13, 3 of 7 from three); Williams added 14, Clowney 11. Q4 was theirs, 29-30, but the other 3 periods went 90-67 against them. Powell's -25 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/02 @ WAS 99-119 — BKN notes
BKN lost 99-119. BKN shot 40% (34 of 86) to WAS's 51%, 6 of 29 from three, and went to the line 28 times to WAS's 16 — 25 points from the stripe to their 14. The glass went 33-51 against them. Sharpe led with 14 (6 of 12); Williams added 14, Mann 14. Q4 was theirs, 26-23, the deficit cut from 23 to 20, but the other 3 periods went 96-73 against them. Powell's -17 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/04 vs DEN 127-115 — BKN notes
BKN won 127-115. BKN shot 51% (41 of 81) to DEN's 48%, 14 of 33 from three, and went to the line 37 times to DEN's 28 — 31 points from the stripe to their 22. The glass went 44-33 for them. Porter Jr. led with 27 (8 of 17, 2 of 6 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Clowney added 22, Sharpe 17. The hinge was Q3, 41-32: a lead of 7 became 16, and the lead reached 22. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
1/07 vs ORL 103-104 — BKN notes
BKN lost 103-104 in 1 overtime. BKN shot 42% (36 of 86) to ORL's 43%, 17 of 51 from three. The glass went 44-55 against them. Porter Jr. led with 34 (12 of 24, 8 of 18 from three); Dëmin added 18, Clowney 10. Q4 was theirs, 29-14, the deficit cut from 15 to 0, but the other 4 periods went 90-74 against them. Powell's -11 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/09 vs LAC 105-121 — BKN notes
BKN lost 105-121. BKN took 24 more shots (100 to 76), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to LAC's 59%, 15 of 47 from three, and got to the line just 11 times against 18 fouls committed. Dëmin led with 19 (6 of 13, 5 of 10 from three); Porter Jr. added 18, Claxton 13. Q3 was theirs, 29-28, the deficit cut from 16 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 93-76 against them. Claxton's -15 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/11 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 117, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 20 and Aldama at 12 a game. Without Morant (4 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 116, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Thomas at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Saraf (12 straight), Martin (3 straight), Etienne (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-3 a night and Brooklyn minus-7 and the line, where Brooklyn takes 26 free throws a game to Memphis's 20. Call it Memphis 115, Brooklyn 111, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/12 @ DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Dallas comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 113, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Davis at 20 and Christie at 16 a game. Without Washington (3 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 112, shooting 42 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 26 and Clowney at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Williams (2 straight), Saraf (13 straight), Etienne (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Dallas wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been minus-0 a night and Brooklyn minus-5. Call it Dallas 114, Brooklyn 109.
1/14 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murphy III at 32 and Williamson at 20 a game. Without Jones (4 straight), Murray (12 straight), Alvarado (4 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 111, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 27 and Clowney at 15 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williams (3 straight), Saraf (14 straight), Etienne (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it New Orleans 114, Brooklyn 113, Brooklyn keeping it close.
1/16 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 16 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 25 and Dëmin at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Williams (4 straight), Saraf (15 straight), Johnson (2 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 115, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 15 free throws a game; Vučević at 20 and Buzelis at 17 a game. Without Giddey (8 straight), Collins (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-1 a night and Brooklyn minus-5. Call it Brooklyn 114, Chicago 112, Chicago keeping it close.
1/01 vs UTA 118-101 — LAC notes
LAC won 118-101. LAC shot 45% (40 of 89) to UTA's 46%, 16 of 51 from three. LAC turned it over 12 times to UTA's 18. The glass went 47-35 for them. Leonard led with 45 (16 of 29, 6 of 16 from three, 7 of 9 at the line); Harden added 20, Batum 14. The hinge was Q4, 36-20: a lead of 1 became 17, and the lead reached 21. Niederhäuser was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
1/03 vs BOS 115-146 — LAC notes
LAC lost 115-146. LAC shot 50% (42 of 84) to BOS's 55%, 15 of 38 from three. The glass went 30-46 against them. Leonard led with 22 (6 of 17, 2 of 8 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Collins added 22, Jones Jr. 19. Q2 was theirs, 35-29, the deficit cut from 14 to 8, but the other 3 periods went 117-80 against them. Harden's -24 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/05 vs GSW 103-102 — LAC notes
LAC won 103-102. LAC shot 48% (37 of 77) to GSW's 38%, 10 of 29 from three, and got to the line 21 times to GSW's 27. LAC turned it over 20 times to GSW's 7, and GSW turned those into 18 steals. Leonard led with 24 (10 of 25, 0 of 8 from three); Sanders added 20, Collins 18. The hinge was Q1, 31-19: from level to 12 ahead.
1/07 @ NYK 111-123 — LAC notes
LAC lost 111-123. LAC shot 43% (40 of 92) to NYK's 50%, 15 of 42 from three. Leonard led with 25 (10 of 20, 3 of 7 from three); Harden added 23, Zubac 22. Q1 was theirs, 31-27, but the other 3 periods went 96-80 against them. Leonard's -14 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
1/09 @ BKN 121-105 — LAC notes
LAC won 121-105. LAC shot 59% (45 of 76) to BKN's 40%, 14 of 24 from three, and went to the line 19 times to BKN's 11 — 17 points from the stripe to their 10. Harden led with 31 (10 of 13, 3 of 4 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Leonard added 26, Miller 21. The hinge was Q1, 35-25: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Leonard was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
1/10 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 103, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; Cunningham at 28 and Stewart at 13 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Harris (4 straight), Duren (3 straight). 2 days' rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 115, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Leonard at 28 and Harden at 23 a game. Without Jones Jr. (3 straight), Bogdanović (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Detroit wins, and the game turns on the defense, Detroit allowing 103 a night to the Clippers' 115. Call it Detroit 118, the Clippers 108, Detroit by 10.
1/12 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Leonard at 25 and Harden at 23 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones Jr. (4 straight), Bogdanović (8 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 100, shooting 47 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Ball at 20 and Miller at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-13 a night and the Clippers minus-6 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 100 a night to the Clippers' 114. Call it Charlotte 114, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.
1/14 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Leonard at 27 and Harden at 26 a game. That is 3 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones Jr. (5 straight), Bogdanović (9 straight). One day's rest. Washington comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sarr at 16 and Johnson at 14 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Watkins (7 straight), Cooper (20 straight), Whitmore (17 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Clippers allowing 106 a night to Washington's 125 and the arc, the Clippers at 39 percent from three to Washington's 32. Call it the Clippers 119, Washington 109, the Clippers by 10.
1/16 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 26 from three, 24 free throws a game; Barnes at 22 and Quickley at 19 a game. Without Barrett (3 straight), Poeltl (12 straight), Walter (2 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and Harden at 25 a game. That is 4 straight wins. They have lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones Jr. (6 straight), Bogdanović (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Toronto wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 39 percent from three to Toronto's 26 and the glass, where Toronto has been minus-2 a night and the Clippers minus-7. Call it Toronto 112, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
BKNCT C. Thomas
DP D. Powell
DS D. Sharpe
DW D. Wolf
DE Demin
ED E. Dëmin
JW J. Wilson
MP M. Porter Jr.
NC N. Claxton
NC N. Clowney
NT N. Traore
TM T. Mann
LACBL B. Lopez
IZ I. Zubac
JC J. Collins
JH J. Harden
JM J. Miller
KB K. Brown
KD K. Dunn
KL K. Leonard
KS K. Sanders
NB N. Batum
BKN/LAC the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Harden scores 31, Leonard has 26 and the Clippers beat the Nets 121-105
NEW YORK -- — James Harden scored 31 points, Kawhi Leonard had 26 and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-105 on Friday night.
Reserve guard Jordan Miller made his first six shots and added 21 points. John Collins had 16 for the Clippers, who bounced back from their loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday to win for the eighth time in 10 games. Leonard, questionable earlier in the day with a sprained right ankle, started slowly but had 19 points in the second half.
Rookie guard Egor Demin scored 19 points for the Nets, who lost on a buzzer-beater in overtime against Orlando on Wednesday. But it was quickly clear this one would never be close.
Michael Porter Jr . struggled to 18 points, missing all nine 3-point attempts.
The Clippers scored the first eight points, and after Nic Claxton made two free throws, Harden scored the next six in an 8-0 run that made it 16-2. Demin made a 3-pointer to snap Brooklyn's 0-for-8 start, but then Leonard and Harden scored to make the Clippers 8 for 9 and give them a 21-5 lead.
The Clippers opened the second quarter with a 10-0 run to make it 45-25 on former Nets center Brook Lopez 's three-point play. Los Angeles led by 22 before taking a 63-47 halftime lead.
The Nets, playing four of their five first-round draft picks, often had at least one rookie on the floor and it appeared Harden was looking to punish any of them who had to guard him. The three-time NBA scoring champion shot 10 for 13, and when the Nets started sending a second defender at him, he found the open man and finished with six assists.
Brooklyn outscored Los Angeles 11-4 to start the third quarter and get back within single digits, but Leonard made a 3-pointer and the lead remained in double digits the rest of the way.
Up next Clippers: Visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.