On Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 116-102 in the first game between the two rivals at the Intuit Dome. The atmosphere was understandably electric but when Kawhi Leonard was asked postgame about hosting the Lakers for the first time there, he downplayed the occasion’s significance.
“It’s the same as any other game for me,” Leonard said. “Whoever it is on the other side of the court.”
That’s exactly the kind of response you’d expect from Leonard. He isn’t interested in the “battle for LA’ narrative and just wants to win games. There was a time, though, when the 33-year-old had somewhat brought into it.
When Leonard signed with the Clippers in 2019, New Balance released a commercial that suggested he was the new king of Los Angeles. It was indicated by a crown key chain being attached to his car keys.
The Clippers seemed primed to dominate when they landed Leonard and Paul George in 2019 and they have had a lot of success against the Lakers since then. Following this latest win, they have gone 15-5 against their rivals in the last 20 meetings.
The problem for the Clippers, though, is that while they’ve dominated against the Lakers, they haven’t won the ultimate prize in that time. The closest they ever got to winning a championship was when they made the Western Conference Finals in 2021, where they lost in six games to the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have had some rough seasons during this stretch but did manage to win the title in 2020. That run alone has made them the winners of this battle and the Clippers continue to play second fiddle to them.
It was in an attempt to step out of the Lakers’ shadow that the Clippers moved to the Intuit Dome and they have made their new home a fortress. They have won 15 of their last 17 games at home and are certainly enjoying not having to share an arena with their rivals.
Not only did this game mark the Clippers’ first win over the Lakers at the Intuit Dome but it was also the one where Leonard accomplished a notable feat. The six-time All-Star entered the contest needing 14 points to get to 14,000 for his career and finished with 19 points (9-13 FG), one rebound, four assists, and a steal.
Leonard was asked about the accomplishment postgame and responded in typical fashion.
“I’m happy that I was able to play long enough to get to that point but for me, I’m not looking at that as a milestone,” Leonard said. “I’m more of a team guy and want to get the win. Get down, be the last team standing and that’s what I play for. But thank God for being able to get that opportunity. Most people don’t. I take every opportunity and blessing and don’t take it for granted.”
Leonard, who missed the first 34 games of the season because of right knee inflammation, also stated he is happy with the progress he has made since returning. He added, though, that there is still work to be done and it is going to take some time before we see the best of him.
This win over the Lakers was the Clippers’ fourth in a row and they’re now 24-17 on the season. They’ll be in action next against the Chicago Bulls at the Intuit Dome on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.
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