INGLEWOOD, California. – Even on a three-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Clippers entered Saturday night’s game at home against the Toronto Raptors with a tough task ahead.

INGLEWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 9: LA Clippers assist James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 9, 2024 at the Intuit Dome. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Saturday marked the second straight game for the Clippers, having played and won 107-98 in Sacramento the night before. It was also their third straight series this season with 13 more to play.

Much like injuries, the schedule is something beyond the team’s control as the Clips continue to navigate the waters without Kawhi Leonard. Next week, they will hit the road for games scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, followed by another back-to-back home game.

“You can’t give in to fatigue,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said before the game.

“Tonight is going to be a difficult match. We know they’re number one, I think, in transition, number one in offensive rebounds, number two in points in the paint. So for everything we talked about, we have to be good…because they play hard on offense, they play fast. So we have to get back to transition and make sure we rebound the ball as well,” Lue added.

The Clippers finished the first half with a 52-47 lead.

The final minute had the fans on their feet as the game was tied at 102 with 35 seconds left.

James Harden and Norman Powell, the team’s offensive leaders with 24 apiece, missed crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game.

In the end, they won 105-103.

Leonard remains out indefinitely and Lue clarified that he will not travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.