Kawhi Leonard capped a 34-point performance with a tiebreaking 22-footer with four-tenths of a second left, James Harden recorded his third double-double of the season, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened their NBA Cup schedule with a 126-124 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The major return to the lineup for the Clippers will be Bradley Beal, who has missed the past two games with back soreness. While he didn't put up any eye-popping numbers in his first two appearances this year, he should be a major component of this team once he's able to reach full health.

Kawhi Leonard made a buzzer-beater and finished with 34 points to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 126-124 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the first game of the NBA Cup group stage for both teams.

But it still wasn’t quite enough as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard buried a 20-foot jumper as time expired to hand the Pelicans a tough 126-124 loss. “He hit a shot that we’ve seen him hit before,” said Pelicans' coach Willie Green. “Credit to him.”

Leonard finishes with 34 points to help the Clippers win their third consecutive home game to start the season. James Harden contributes 24 points and 14 assists.

New Orleans looks to end its four-game slide with a win over Los Angeles. Friday's meeting is the first this season between the teams.

The LA Clippers overcame the New Orleans Pelicans thanks to some late game heroics from Kawhi Leonard down the stretch.