Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (4) dunks against Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack (21) as Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves for position in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) handles the ball against Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller, left, shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Walter Clayton Jr. (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small, left, handles the ball against Clippers guard Jordan Miller, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) brings the ball up court ahead of Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, center, drives between Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) and guard Ty Jerome (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Walter Clayton Jr. (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies guards Walter Clayton Jr. (4) and Jahmai Mashack (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
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Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The best way to shake off a blown lead might be a comeback win.
Kawhi Leonard had 28 points, Darius Garland scored 11 of his 21 in the fourth quarter, and the Clippers held on for a 123-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, one night after squandering a 25-point lead in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Bennedict Mathurin finished 21 points and 10 rebounds against Memphis, and Derrick Jones Jr. added 16 points as the Clippers won for the fourth time in five games despite hitting only four 3-pointers, a season low. The Clippers shot 4 for 17 from long range compared to the Grizzlies’ 16-of-43 showing.
Leonard finished 8 for 15 from the field and 12 for 14 at the foul line. Jordan Miller added 14 points and Isaiah Jackson contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies, who were trying to sweep the four-game season series, were led by Ty Jerome, who had 23 points and a game-high seven assists. Taylor Hendricks came off the bench to score 18 points, Cedric Coward added 15 points and seven rebounds, and GG Jackson finished with 14 points and seven boards. Memphis lost its third game in a row and its sixth in the past eight games.
The game was close throughout, and the Grizzlies held a 118-117 lead after a Walter Clayton Jr. driving layup with 2:13 left. Leonard and Jordan Miller each made a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 121-118 edge. Mathurin’s two free throws with 4.4 seconds left sealed the win as Jerome’s closing 3-point try rimmed out at the buzzer.
The Clippers, who were 15 games under .500 earlier this season, now sit at 31-32. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference and in the running for a postseason berth.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ season has been marred by injuries. Six rotation players were on the injured list for Saturday’s game, including guard Ja Morant, who missed his 20th consecutive game with a left elbow UCL sprain. Team officials said Morant will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Before the game, Morant said he wanted to remain with the franchise, even referring to a Grizzlies logo tattooed on his back as a sign of his loyalty.
Memphis got off to a fast start (making 10 3-point shots in the first quarter), building a 19-point lead early in the second quarter against a Clippers team that might have been fatigued playing on the second night of a road back-to-back.
The advantage was short-lived. The Clippers roared back behind Leonard, who scored 15 of his first-half 20 points in the second period while Memphis lost its shooting touch and committed 10 turnovers. The Clippers reclaimed the lead late in the second quarter and trailed by only one (59-58) at halftime.
The Grizzlies led 90-89 entering the fourth quarter, but the Clippers quickly took command, building a nine-point advantage at 101-92 following a five-point possession. After Brook Lopez missed the free throw as part of a three-point opportunity on a layup, Garland nailed a 3-pointer.
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The Clippers host the New York Knicks on Monday at 7 p.m.