Nets suffer worst loss in franchise history after 126-67 rout to Clippers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — scored 23 points, added 21 and the Los Angeles Clippers had the largest margin of victory in franchise history, routing the Brooklyn Nets 126-67 on Wednesday night.
The Clippers broke the team margin mark of 50 against Oklahoma City on April 10, 2022. It also was the worst loss in Nets’ history, eclipsing a 52-point defeat to Houston on Oct. 18, 1978.
LA’s largest lead was 64 points midway through the fourth quarter, despite coachemptying his bench late in the third quarter.
Leonard logged a season-high 24 minutes as he took part in his fourth game since coming back from a knee injury.
led the Nets with 16 points and Day’Ron Sharpe had 12. Brooklyn has dropped five of six.
Nico Powell added 18 points for the Clippers, who led 58-35 at halftime before opening the third quarter with by scoring the first 13 points en route to a 29-3 run. At the end of the quarter, LA had a 102-51 advantage.
Nets: was ejected with 9:55 remaining in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul.
Clippers: did not play in the second half due to left calf soreness. Mann scored five points in eight minutes during the first half.
The Clippers trailed 25-24 with 10:07 remaining in the second quarter before going on a 21-4 run over the next 5:35. Leonard scored eight points and Amir Coffey five as LA took control.
The Clippers shot 54.4% from the field (43 of 79) while the Nets were at 30.5% (25 of 82), including 5 of 27 on 3-pointers.
The Clippers are at Portland on Thursday night, while the Nets remain in Southern California to face the Lakers on Friday night.