March 2, 2021Updated: March 3, 2021 3:18 a.m.
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BOSTON (AP) – Kemba Walker had 25 points and six assists for the Boston Celtics, who took advantage of star Kawhi Leonard’s absence to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 117-112 on Tuesday night.
Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points, Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard had 14 per head, and the Celtics had three wins, something they had not achieved since January.
The Clippers, who have lost five of eight games, played without Leonard, ruled out minutes before the game with back cramps.
Paul George led Los Angeles with 32 points. Reggie Jackson took Leonard’s place in the starting lineup and finished with 25 points and seven assists.
Leonard made the headline list before the game, but never entered the court to warm up. Towards the end of the first period, the Clippers announced that he would not play.
He has missed seven previous games in the campaign, including two due to a laceration to the mouth, another pair due to coronavirus protocols and three more due to a blow to the leg.
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