The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a tough 118-99 loss to the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. Although they suffered a loss, the Clippers are currently 39-38, one game above .500. While noteworthy, Kawhi Leonard wasn’t as impressed.
With five more games left in the season, the Clippers could realistically complete a historic turnaround and finish with a winning record, potentially notching their 15th consecutive winning season. Although this is a commendable feat, during his postgame interview, Kawhi Leonard shared a cold response when asked how he felt about it.
“Yeah, I guess just shut it quick,” Leonard responded. “Especially if you want to get into the playoffs and try to compete. Whatever to keep the record going or the consistency would be great. I don’t think nobody is gonna be popping champagne just because we’re 42-40.”
Kawhi Leonard is known for being straightforward and relatively unanimated, but it was apparent that losing to the Spurs had affected his perception of the Clippers’ current position.
Following the loss to San Antonio, L.A. has fallen to ninth in the West. While they are guaranteed a spot in the play-in tournament, earning an opportunity to secure the eighth seed may improve their chances of securing a playoff berth.
Currently, Los Angeles is only half a game behind the Portland Trail Blazers. With an upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings, the Clippers will look to assert themselves with a win.
Can Kawhi Leonard Lead The Clippers To The Playoffs?
The Los Angeles Clippers have seen several transitions this season. From being one of the worst teams early in the campaign to climbing their way back up after making significant roster changes, L.A. has done it all.
As currently constructed, the Clippers may not be convincing as a title threat. However, the talent on their roster certainly makes them a dark horse to secure a playoff berth.
Kawhi Leonard has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break. With averages of 28.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in 20 games since the break, Leonard is undoubtedly the driving force behind the Clippers’ success.
However, Kawhi Leonard has not been the sole performer for Los Angeles. The team’s recent acquisitions, Bennedict Mathurin and Darius Garland, have also played a vital role in their recent outings. Although both players missed time due to pre-existing injuries, they have emerged as solid contributors.
In his brief tenure with the Clippers, Mathurin is averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Garland is posting 20.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.7% from the field and 47.5% from three-point range.
Despite the 5-5 record in their last 10 games, the Clippers’ new trio has proven effective. Given that they are due to face the Thunder, along with the Blazers and the Warriors, in the coming days, L.A. will need its key players to step up to close out the campaign on a strong note.
