Coming into Game 6, nobody trusted the LA Clippers to step up with their backs against the wall. With a history of playoff shortcomings, the team hasn’t found a lot of success.
But behind a masterful performance by Kawhi Leonard, who scored 45 points, the team was able to secure the victory and force a Game 7.
Kawhi Leonard tonight:
45 points
6 rebounds
3 assists
2 steals
18/25 FG
Facing elimination on the road, the Klaw delivered 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jzn5lq7yXI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 5, 2021
It was an impressive game by Kawhi and the crew, and it was widely celebrated by NBA fans and analysts.
Kawhi cooked Luka and the Mavs on the offensive end…defensively he had Luka in a damn straight jacket tonight! This was arguably one of his greatest playoffs performances of his career!!! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 5, 2021
That is an all-time great two-way performance from Kawhi Leonard.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 5, 2021
That was the best game I have EVER seen Kawhi Leonard play, on offense and defense. Congrats, Claw. That was a Best Player on the Planet kind of performance.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 5, 2021
Kawhi wins the title and he’s easily back to best player in the world status
— – (@SCOTTIEMFBARNES) June 5, 2021
Kawhi Leonard after the Mavs and the Clippers game: 🐐 pic.twitter.com/LSOgM5B4B8
— In My Mind (@MeAloneInMyMind) June 5, 2021
Lakers fans after the Clippers forced Game 7 pic.twitter.com/q3DGFZ4s6o
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 5, 2021
Clippers wanted to go to Cancun, Kawhi didn't.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 5, 2021
Every Clippers fan after Game 6 pic.twitter.com/uJATzypYgn
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) June 5, 2021
All-in-all, it was a strong show of guts and strength by the Clippers. To come into a hostile arena and keep your season alive against a very good team is no easy task, and they responded about as well as you could hope.
Game 7 is on Sunday, in L.A., and nobody is quite sure what will happen. Despite Kawhi’s amazing performance, many are still hesitant to trust them in a do-or-die situation.
Nonetheless, they’re proving right before our eyes that they’re ready and able to step up when the pressure is tight.
It will be interesting how this wild series ends on Sunday, and if the Clippers will finally begin to earn some redemption for last season’s failures. All we can do now is wait and see.
