History isn't usually made on a random Monday night in January against a sub-.500 team from the East. But if you watched the Clippers vs Hornets last game on January 12, 2026, you saw the kind of basketball that shifts a season’s entire narrative.
It was loud. It was historic. And honestly, it was a little closer than the Clippers probably wanted.
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James Harden didn’t just play; he hunted. Entering the night needing 14 points to pass Shaquille O’Neal for ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, he looked like a man who had a dinner reservation he didn't want to miss. He got 13 in the first half alone. Then, early in the third, he stepped into a three-pointer that didn't just find the bottom of the net—it moved a legend down a peg. 28,597 career points. One spot behind Wilt Chamberlain.
The Intuit Dome felt like it was vibrating.
The Kawhi Leonard takeover that saved the night
While Harden was grabbing the headlines and the history books, Kawhi Leonard was doing Kawhi Leonard things. He finished with 35 points. Most of that damage came in a surgical third quarter where he seemed to decide that the Hornets' perimeter defenders were essentially traffic cones.
Charlotte isn't a powerhouse, but they're scrappy. They actually took a 100-99 lead with about seven minutes left in the fourth thanks to a Tre Mann triple.
Then the Clippers’ "old guard" reminded everyone why they’re still terrifying.
Los Angeles went on a 15-1 run. Harden poured in eight points during that stretch. Jordan Miller—who is quietly becoming a real rotation piece—knocked down a massive shot. In the span of four minutes, a nail-biter turned into a 13-point cushion.
The final score of 117-109 looks competitive, but the closing stretch was a masterclass in veteran execution.
By the numbers: Clippers vs Hornets last game
If you’re a box score watcher, there were some fascinating wrinkles in this one.
- James Harden: 32 points, 10 assists, and a permanent spot in the top 10 scoring leaders.
- Kawhi Leonard: 35 points on efficient shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep.
- LaMelo Ball: 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists. He looked like the best player on the floor for chunks of the second half.
- Moussa Diabaté: 13 points and 15 rebounds. The man was a vacuum on the glass.
- Kon Knueppel: The rookie continues to look like a steal, chipping in 18 points.
Why this win actually matters for Los Angeles
The Clippers started this season 6-21. Read that again. It was a disaster. People were calling for trades, for rebuilds, for Ty Lue’s head.
But since that nightmare start, they are 10-2 in their last 12.
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The Clippers vs Hornets last game was their fourth win in five tries. They aren't just winning; they have the best offensive rating in the league over the last three weeks. Ty Lue has found a way to make the Harden-Leonard duo work without the stagnant ISO-ball that plagued them in November.
They are now sitting just one game back from the play-in tournament.
The Charlotte perspective: Moral victories aren't enough
For the Hornets, this was their third loss in four games. 14-26 isn't where they wanted to be, but there’s nuance here. They were missing Collin Sexton (hamstring), yet they still pushed an elite Clippers squad to the brink in the fourth quarter.
Moussa Diabaté is the real story for Charlotte. He had Ivica Zubac—a very solid veteran center—spinning in circles with Euro-steps in the lane. Watching a young big man develop that kind of footwork is the silver lining in a season that’s mostly been about "wait 'til next year."
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The Hornets shot 10-of-33 from three. That’s roughly 30%. You aren't beating Kawhi Leonard when you shoot 30% from deep. It's just math.
Looking ahead: What’s next for both teams?
The Clippers are heading out on the road to face the Cavaliers. That’s a much tougher test than Charlotte. If they can maintain this 123.1 offensive rating against a top-tier defense like Cleveland’s, we have to start talking about them as a dark horse playoff threat.
Charlotte stays in California to face the Lakers.
If you're betting on the Clippers right now, keep an eye on Jordan Miller. He played 32 minutes and scored 14. He’s the "glue guy" this team has been missing since Paul George left for Philly.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Standings: The Clippers are within striking distance of the 10th seed. Every game against "lesser" opponents like the Hornets is mandatory.
- Monitor Kawhi’s Ankle: He played 35 minutes and looked great, but he’s still on the injury report. Any flare-up halts this momentum.
- Harden’s Next Milestone: He’s chasing Wilt Chamberlain next. At his current scoring pace, he could move into 8th place before the All-Star break.
- Hornets Youth Watch: Moussa Diabaté is a fantasy basketball must-add if he’s still on your waiver wire. The rebounds are legit.
The Clippers vs Hornets last game proved that experience still trumps youth in crunch time. The Clippers found their rhythm, Harden found his place in history, and Charlotte found another reason to be excited about their young core—even in a loss.