Kawhi Leonard has every basketball insider singing a different tune about him.
He missed the first 34 games of the season because of an injury, but Leonard returned rejuvenated for the Los Angeles Clippers and has it in the Western Conference playoffs to face Denver in the first round. “The Klaw” is healthy again as he averaged 25-plus points per game in March and April, putting the Clippers in this situation. Leonard was excellent in Sunday’s marquee victory for Los Angeles over Golden State, forcing the Warriors into the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. He posted his first 30-point game this month, scoring 33 with seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals in an epic 124-119 overtime win over Golden State.
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Leonard made 13-of-20 shots from the field, including four made 3-pointers.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has questioned Leonard’s durability in the past for the playoffs. He is now changing his stance after seeing the two-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player looking dominant.
“You got me. That damn Kawhi Leonard looks special right now.” ???? @stephenasmith says the Clippers could “go to the conference finals, if not the Finals” with this version of Kawhi Leonard ???? pic.twitter.com/kzPr265s5n
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 14, 2025
“That damn Kawhi Leonard looks special right now,” Smith said via ESPN’s First Take.
“He is looking special right now. To miss the first 34 games of the season, to come out and play since March in the last 21 games … the Clippers are 18-3. They have the No. 1 offense in basketball when Kawhi Leonard is on the court. The brother is averaging 25.7 points, 52% shooting, 43% from three-point range, and just balling. I’m looking at him and I’m going ‘he’s making steals, going the length of the court, he’s looking pretty damn good.’ This is going to be very interesting. Here is what it comes down to … With Kawhi Leonard healthy, he can carry the Los Angeles Clippers to the Western Conference Finals. He can do that. Kawhi and James Harden can deliver the goods for the Clippers against Denver. If this Kawhi Leonard shows up with this James Harden, it can get very interesting. The Clippers can go to the conference finals if not the NBA Finals.”
Leonard looks great, Harden is balling out, and the Clippers are rolling.
Kawhi Leonard continues to heat up in Clippers’ 5-game winning streak
We are about to see soon how Leonard handles Nikola Jokic and the Nugget.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
