Darius Garland Leads Clippers to Overtime Victory Against Mavericks

Darius Garland scored a season-high 41 points, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 138-131 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Kawhi Leonard added 34 points, including a crucial tying basket late in regulation.

Game Recap

The Clippers traveled to Dallas seeking to finish a four-game losing streak. Garland opened the scoring, and the game quickly became a back-and-forth affair. Cooper Flagg contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists for the Mavericks. The first quarter saw both teams shooting well, with Dallas taking a 42-32 lead after twelve minutes.

The Clippers battled back in the second quarter, closing the gap thanks to contributions from Nicolas Batum and Kawhi Leonard. However, Dallas responded with an 11-0 run to extend their lead to 54-42. Jason Kidd’s team maintained their advantage, leading 72-63 at halftime, despite 18 first-half points from Garland.

The third quarter featured continued exchanges, with Leonard hitting key shots to keep the Clippers within striking distance. The Clippers took a brief lead, but the Mavericks fought back, and the quarter ended with Los Angeles leading by just one point, 100-99.

In the fourth quarter, Garland continued his strong performance, hitting a three-pointer to place the Clippers ahead. A counterattack finished by John Collins gave the Californians the advantage. However, the game remained tight, with Dallas tying the score. With 30 seconds remaining, a basket by PJ Washington put Dallas ahead, but Kawhi Leonard answered with a tying shot to force overtime.

Overtime was dominated by the Clippers, with three-pointers from Garland and Derrick Jones Jr. Quickly securing the victory. The final score was 138-131 in favor of Los Angeles.

Key Performances

• Darius Garland: 41 points (15-24 FG, 8-12 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 3 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
• Kawhi Leonard: 34 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
• Cooper Flagg: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
• PJ Washington: Key basket late in the fourth quarter

Clippers Climb Back to Eighth Place

This victory allowed the Clippers to regain eighth place in the Western Conference, surpassing the Portland Trail Blazers, with whom they share a 35-36 record. The Clippers hold the tiebreaker over Portland due to their two wins against them earlier in the season.

Garland’s Impact Since Joining the Clippers

Since joining the Clippers from the Cavaliers in early February, Garland has averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 3.9 three-pointers, and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game. He was cleared to return for Saturday’s game after a one-game absence due to left toe injury management.

Source: AP News, ESPN, CBS Sports, Los Angeles Times