INGLEWOOD, United States, October 21, 2026: The Clippers began a season shaped by upheaval with their cleanest possible response: they never trailed.
Darius Garland scored 30 points as Los Angeles beat the Sacramento Kings 121-96 at Intuit Dome, giving the Clippers a convincing opening-night victory in their first season opener without Kawhi Leonard since 2019.
Clippers vs Kings: Quarter-by-quarter score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 29 | 25 | 16 | 26 | 96 |
| LA Clippers | 41 | 20 | 32 | 28 | 121 |
Garland established control immediately
Garland opened by making his first five shots and his first three attempts from beyond the arc. He had 16 points in nine minutes and finished with 30 on 11-for-19 shooting.
That early burst gave Los Angeles a 41-29 first-quarter lead and established the tone for a game Sacramento spent chasing.
The third quarter turned control into a rout
The Kings were still within seven at halftime, trailing 61-54. The Clippers ended the suspense in the third.
Los Angeles won the period 32-16 while shooting 64.7% from the field. Sacramento shot 27.3% in the quarter. By the end of it, the Clippers led 93-70.
The final margin was not built on one hot stretch alone. Los Angeles shot 52.4% for the game, collected 14 steals and won the rebounding battle 49-42.
The new Clippers had contributions everywhere
Brook Lopez scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench. Rookie Keaton Wagler added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Isaiah Jackson scored 13 and Gradey Dick added 12.
Rui Hachimura finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in his Clippers debut. The bench outscored Sacramento’s reserves 53-34, giving Los Angeles the depth it needed despite several absences.
LaVine and Sabonis could not rescue Sacramento
Zach LaVine led the Kings with 28 points. Domantas Sabonis added 14 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists.
Rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. had a much rougher debut, scoring 12 points on 5-for-24 shooting and missing all seven of his three-point attempts. Sacramento needed more efficient guard play to keep pace once Garland began controlling the game.
Key performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Darius Garland | Clippers | 30 points |
| Brook Lopez | Clippers | 17 points, 11 rebounds |
| Keaton Wagler | Clippers | 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists |
| Zach LaVine | Kings | 28 points |
| Domantas Sabonis | Kings | 14 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists |
A new era starts without hesitation
The Clippers’ offseason was dominated by the Leonard controversy and major roster turnover. Their response on opening night was disciplined rather than distracted.
Continue the NBA Story
Garland looked comfortable as the lead guard, the bench produced and the defense forced Sacramento into long stretches of poor shooting.
The Kings host Portland next, while the Clippers visit the Lakers. Follow TSE’s NBA coverage, NBA Hub, offseason analysis and 2026-27 schedule guide for continuing coverage.
Official NBA sources
Game documentation: NBA game page, official box score and official play-by-play.
