Los Angeles Clippers score tonight: Why this January run feels different

Los Angeles Clippers score tonight: Why this January run feels different

The Los Angeles Clippers didn't play a game tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you were scouring the box scores for a fresh result, you won't find one. They are currently in the middle of a travel day, flying out to the East Coast to prep for a Monday afternoon showdown against the Washington Wizards.

But honestly, the lack of a los angeles clippers score tonight doesn't mean the buzz has died down. Far from it. This team is arguably the hottest topic in the league right now because of how they've completely flipped the script on what looked like a lost season.

Where they stand right now

After a grueling overtime win against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, the Clippers moved to 18-23. Now, if you just look at that sub-.500 record, you might think they're struggling. You'd be wrong.

Basically, this team started the year in a historical gutter. They went 6-21. It was ugly. There was talk of blowing up the roster, trading the veterans, and just leaning into the "oldest team in NBA history" jokes. Then, something clicked. They’ve won 12 of their last 14 games. That isn't just a "good stretch"—it’s a total identity shift.

The Friday night victory in Toronto was the perfect microcosm of this "new" Clippers squad. They were down double digits. Old Clippers might have folded, especially with Kawhi Leonard sidelined due to a sprained right ankle. Instead, James Harden turned back the clock.

Harden went for 31 points and 10 assists. He willed that game into overtime with an 8-0 personal run in the closing minutes of regulation. Even though he shot a dismal 2-of-15 from deep, he did the "point god" things that actually win games: drawing fouls, hunting mismatches, and finding the open man when the defense collapsed.

The unsung heroes of the streak

While the headlines usually focus on the Hall of Famers, the reason there isn't a losing los angeles clippers score tonight is actually the depth.

  • Jordan Miller: He dropped 19 points against the Raptors. He’s becoming that reliable "glue guy" every contender needs.
  • Ivica Zubac: The big man had 16 points and 14 rebounds on Friday. He is the defensive anchor that keeps their sub-par defensive rating from completely cratering.
  • Cam Christie: The youngster stepped up with 16 points of his own in Toronto.

It’s wild to think that this team is doing this while being the oldest roster the NBA has ever seen (average age of 33.2). You've got guys like Brook Lopez and Nicolas Batum provide the veteran IQ, while the younger legs like Christie and Miller are finally providing the energy boost that was missing in November.

Looking ahead to Washington

The Clippers are heading into the Capital One Arena on Monday, January 19, for a 3:00 p.m. ET tip-off. They already beat the Wizards earlier this week (119-105), and Washington is currently sitting at a dismal 10-31.

On paper? It’s a cakewalk. In reality? It’s the second game of a three-game road trip, and the Clippers are 7-14 on the road this year. They’ve been much better lately—winning four of their last five away from the Intuit Dome—but complacency is the only thing that could kill this momentum.

The big question mark is Kawhi Leonard. He missed the Toronto game. The team hasn't officially ruled him in or out for Monday yet, but with a back-to-back coming up (they play Chicago on Tuesday), Ty Lue might be cautious. Honestly, the way Harden is playing, they might be able to afford a "load management" day for the Klaw against a Wizards team that gives up nearly 124 points per game.

The Intuit Dome factor

Even when they aren't playing, the Clippers' new home is the center of the basketball universe. We’re less than a month away from the 2026 All-Star Weekend, which will be hosted right there in Inglewood.

There's a certain irony in the fact that the league spent the first half of the season investigating Steve Ballmer for potential salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, only for the team to become the most exciting "Cinderella" story of January. The vibes at the Intuit Dome have shifted from "expensive library" to "raucous playoff atmosphere" in about three weeks.

If you’re tracking the los angeles clippers score tonight to see if they can climb into the play-in tournament, keep an eye on the Western Conference standings. They are currently 10th. They’ve leapfrogged the Mavericks and the Jazz during this run. If they keep this up, they aren't just looking at a play-in spot—they might actually threaten the 6th seed by March.

What to do before the next tip-off

Since there's no game tonight, it’s a good time to look at the betting trends if that’s your thing. The Clippers have covered the spread in 11 of their last 13 games. They are 18-23 against the spread overall, which shows you just how much they’ve outperformed expectations recently.

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Check the injury report tomorrow morning around 11:00 a.m. PT. If Kawhi is upgraded to "probable," the line against Washington is going to jump significantly. If he's out, expect James Harden's assist over/under to be the play of the day, as he’ll likely be the primary engine for every single possession.

The flight to D.C. is a long one, but for the first time in 2026, the Clippers are flying with their heads held high.