ATLANTA — The Clippers got head coach Tyronn Lue back and his stars rewarded him with a relatively stress-free fourth quarter.
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard each scored 25 points, with Harden scoring 13 during a dominant third quarter in the Clippers’ 121-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, their fifth win in six games.
Lue, who joked “I’m playing 48 tonight” when asked if he was on a minutes restriction in his return after missing three games with lower back soreness, had to like the way his team took control in the second half.
After trailing 61-53 at halftime, the Clippers outscored the Hawks 35-8 in a lopsided third quarter. They scored the first 11 points of the second half for a 64-61 lead on a Leonard 3-pointer. Following the last tie at 67-all, they scored 19 consecutive points to open an 86-67 cushion.
Harden shot 8 for 14 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range) to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. Leonard, who sat out the Clippers’ Wednesday win in Miami due to load management, shot 11 for 21 to go with six rebounds and a season-high five steals.
Ivica Zubac added 18 points and six rebounds but saw his streak of consecutive double-doubles end at 10 games. Derrick Jones Jr. (14), Bogdan Bogdanovic (12) and Amir Coffey (12) also scored in double figures.
Bogdanovic, making his return to Atlanta, received an ovation and video tribute during a first-quarter timeout. The Clippers acquired Bogdanovic and three second-round draft picks from the Hawks in exchange for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland on Feb. 6. The Hawks waived Hyland.
Onyeka Okongwu, a former USC and Chino Hills High standout, had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Atlanta, which saw its four-game winning streak end. Trae Young, who made all 21 free throws in a 123-110 victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night, scored 17 points while shooting 3 for 4 from the foul line with seven assists and seven turnovers. Rookie Zaccharrie Risacher had 15 points and seven rebounds.
NOTES
Clippers swingman Ben Simmons (left knee) scored two points with four assists in 18 minutes as a backup in his return after missing seven games. … The Clippers were without Norman Powell (right hamstring strain) and Jordan Miller (left hip soreness). … Hawks center Clint Capela missed his second straight game for family reasons.
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The Clippers host Charlotte on Sunday at 4 p.m.