By RAUL DOMINGUEZ The Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — The Clippers have not only survived their early encounters with Victor Wembanyama. They have thrived.
Paul George scored 28 points, Kawhi Leonard added 21 and the Clippers rolled past the much-hyped French rookie and the San Antonio Spurs, 124-99, on Monday night, extending the Spurs’ losing streak to nine games.
James Harden added 13 points and 10 assists as the Clippers won their sixth straight over San Antonio and held Wembanyama in check again in another lopsided loss.
The Clippers won their second straight game with Harden after dropping their first five games since acquiring him from Philadelphia.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft, was held to nine points on 4-of-12 shooting and three rebounds. Keldon Johnson had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead San Antonio and Cedi Osman scored 17 points.
The Spurs’ losing streak matches the fifth longest in franchise history.
The Clippers handed the Spurs their second-worst loss of the season, 123-83, on Oct. 29 at Crypto.com Arena, and were headed toward a similar outcome. Wembanyama was held to 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting and five rebounds in the first meeting.
A dunk by Leonard and a layup off a no-look feed from Harden extended the Clippers’ lead to 86-66 in the third quarter.
San Antonio has trailed by 15 points or more in eight games this season and by 20 in six contests. The Spurs have rallied to win just once.
George had to exit after being poked in the eye by Wembanyama on the Clippers’ first possession. He returned midway through the first quarter and finished 11 for 16 from the field and 4 for 8 from 3-point range.
Spurs starting guard Devin Vassell missed the game with a strained groin.
More to come on this story.
The teams close a two-game set at San Antonio on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
