Kawhi Leonard returned to the court after missing four games due to a hip contusion, leading the LA Clippers to a 121-104 victory over the Miami Heat. He scored 24 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had five steals, while Paul George added 23 points. The Clippers have won 12 of their last 14 games with Leonard back in the lineup. The Heat were without several players due to injuries, and despite leading 35-23 after the first quarter, they could not maintain their lead. Leonard's return was characterized by an impressive performance, as he reached 13,000 career points and displayed the aggressiveness the Clippers need. The Clippers' victory marked the first time they ended a calendar year and began the next year with wins since the 2019-20 season.