Kawhi Leonard Takes Responsibility For Clippers’ Loss Against Mavericks In Game 2

Kawhi Leonard was frank about how he couldn't lead the Clippers to a Game 2 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

4 Min Read

Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard took responsibility for the Clippers struggling to overcome the Mavericks after falling to a 96-93 loss in Game 2 of the series. While he stressed the importance of the team coming together as a whole, he mentioned how he has to push through feeling winded and find a way to win games. 

“It’s my first game in 20-something days… We’ve got to be better as a unit, overall. It starts with me. Even if I’m winded, I have to find a way.”

(Starts at 3:25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnkdzePGg7k

Leonard was also upset with the Clippers’ fourth-quarter execution, as they came into the quarter with a one-point lead but lost the game.

“Keep trying to get our rhythm back and obviously, try to win the basketball game. We got pretty stagnant tonight in that fourth quarter.”

The biggest question around Leonard recently has been his health, as the Clippers star didn’t play a game from the first week of March to Game 2. He opened up on the status of his health after returning to the court in Game 2.

“Just trying to make sure I can get into the game and play. That’s what last week’s been about, just trying to get back on the floor… Not really (if he’s been practicing much). I’ve just been rehabbing and trying to get on the floor. But we still got more games to play, more time to get better and that’s what I’m focused on.”

Leonard had a disappointing night, ending with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. He struggled to find his rhythm offensively while having flashes of great defense but not enough to stop Dallas from walking away with this win. 


Kawhi Leonard Is The Biggest Threat To The Mavericks

If Kawhi Leonard is having bad offensive games like the one last night, the Mavericks will easily win this series. We have seen him be the difference-maker in the past, averaging 32.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over the 2020 and 2021 playoff matchups 

It’s clear the Mavericks have a lot of respect for Leonard, with Luka Doncic even complimenting the star forward for being a playoff riser when he’s locked in.

“He’s an unbelievable player. We all know when the playoffs come, he’s even better. He’s locked in offensively and defensively, so it’s really tough to stop. I learned a lot playing against him. He’s an unbelievable player.”

One of the reasons the Mavericks claim to have struggled in Game 1 was the lack of Kawhi Leonard, as their game plan included Kawhi’s presence. They proved that they were well-prepared for the Clippers with Kawhi, as indicated by their Game 2 performance. 

The team managed to stun the Mavericks by playing a far more aggressive brand of basketball in Game 1, so they need to adapt things from their game plan for that contest to future matchups with Kawhi in the lineup. If Leonard can’t give them production, this series might be impossible for the Clippers to win.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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