Kawhi Leonard pours on 55 points to help Clippers top Pistons

Longtime NBA veteran Kevin Love talks to Fox News Digital about the "stain" of gambling in professional sports and his hopes for a resolution.

Kawhi Leonard did everything he could on Sunday night to deliver an upset victory for the Los Angeles Clippers against the Detroit Pistons.

The Clippers have been one of the worst teams in the Western Conference through the first 31 games of the regular season, while the Pistons have been one of the best in the Eastern Conference. Leonard showed he still had some gas in the tank.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard controls the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/William Liang)

He scored 55 points in Los Angeles’ 112-99 victory. He was 17-of-26 from the field and nailed five 3-pointers. He added 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocks to his stat line. It was the first time in his career he scored at least 50 points in a game.

The 55-point total also tied a Clippers franchise record. He shared the total with teammate James Harden. Leonard had a chance to break it, but he kept his fourth-quarter time to just six minutes and left the game with under a minute to go.

"Like I told (Clippers head coach Ty Lue), I would rather play another game than go out there and risk it," Leonard said. "Hopefully, we can get another win and be in the same situation. It is what it is."

Harden was teasing Leonard about taking long enough to reach at least 50 points in a single game.

LEBRON JAMES HIT WITH HARSH REALITY CHECK AS LAKERS STRUGGLE: 'IT HASN'T SUNK IN'

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) drives the ball while under