The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 124-116, at Barclays Center on Monday night.

The Clippers (31-26) came in as favorites over a significantly short-handed Nets (32-21) squad that had just traded away Kyrie Irving, but they encountered a feisty unit that trailed only 55-53 at the half. Los Angeles ultimately managed to add just one point to its advantage in the third quarter, and after Brooklyn managed to take as much as a 107-99 lead with approximately six minutes remaining, the visitors finished on a torrid 25-9 run over the final 5:55 to seal a hard-fought road victory and overcome Cam Thomas' second straight 40-plus-point tally.

Paul George led the Clippers with 29 points, adding four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kawhi Leonard furnished 24 points, supplementing them with six assists, four rebounds and one steal. Ivica Zubac generated a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double that included two assists, three steals and one block. Norman Powell supplied 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Terance Mann and Reggie Jackson produced matching 12-point tallies, with Mann adding nine rebounds and three blocks.

Thomas paced the Nets with 47 points, complementing them with four rebounds and three assists. Edmond Sumner registered 23 points, five boards, three assists and one block. Nic Claxton finished with a 15-point, 16-rebound double-double that included one assist, three blocks and two steals. Royce O'Neale matched Claxton's scoring and also recorded three assists and one rebound.

The Clippers return home to host the Dallas Mavericks in Irving's expected debut Wednesday night, while the Nets remain home and welcome in the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.