Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers succumbed against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, in a very entertaining game between two of the best teams in the NBA this season. The game was full of emotion and it was decided in the last seconds of regulation.
The two teams started exchanging baskets and when Kawhi was driving to the rim, trying to separate from Harden, the refs called an offensive foul on the Klaw, giving Harden and the Nets the chance to extend their lead, which ended with a 112-108 win over the Clips, their 6th consecutive triumph. That play raised a lot of eyebrows around the league and Leonard was clearly unhappy with the decision, as he expressed in his post-game interview.
Offensive foul on Kawhi Leonard or flop by James Harden?pic.twitter.com/HUSk82kVO6
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 22, 2021
“You know, my take from it is if we gonna pretty much play bull ball at the end of the game, let both sides play it,” Leonard said. “But they didn’t call it, so good defense. I got grabbed early, but like I said, no call, so great defense.”
Kawhi Leonard took one question tonight: mine about the offensive foul. Here's what he said:
“My take from it is we’re gonna play bully ball at the end of the game, let it go both ways. But they didn’t call it, so good defense.”
He then said, 'Alright,' got up, and left. pic.twitter.com/1aBymwNvDW
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 22, 2021
Tyronn Lue also spoke about this situation, explaining that there is nothing they can do about it and the game is finished regardless of if the call was fair for his side.
“I mean they called it so there’s nothing you can do about it now,” Lue added. “I’m not a big complain guy but some guy said he had his arm before Kawhi was able to push off and he said Harden grabbed his – I don’t know because I didn’t look at it. To me the game’s over and nothing you can do about it so it is what it is.”
“They called it. Nothing we can do about it now. I'm not a big complain guy. Some guy said Harden had his arm before Kawhi was able to push off… It is what it is.”
Tyronn Lue on the James Harden flop on Kawhi Leonard late in the game. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/OMhPNcmEv7
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 22, 2021
This game had everything, including controversy. Now the Clips will try to bounce back while the Nets will try to extend their good streak, without Kevin Durant on the floor. Perhaps we saw a little preview of the 2021 NBA Finals and there is no doubt that this duel would be incredible to watch.
Leonard finished the game with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists while Harden went off with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJXSS1xYBkM
