Kawhi Leonard spoke after the LA Clippers‘ 128-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The crowd at the Frost Bank Center chose to boo Kawhi, who was a star for the Spurs and even won a championship before making an acrimonious exit from the team. Leonard noted that it did upset him a little to hear the jeers, but he understood given how passionate the fanbase is about their team.
“It’s just because of the player I am. And what I’ve done here. So it’s a little pain in the heart still. It’s still love in the city wherever I go. But obviously, when I put on that different jersey, they have a great fanbase, so they’re gonna stick to the Spurs and I’m okay with that.”
“Nah [it’s not added motivation]… Every game I’m looking for the ball and trying to be aggressive. That’s how you have explosive games… If you come in the game with an inconsistent mindset, you’re gonna play inconsistent.”
Leonard was not shunned by the entirety of the Spurs fanbase. After the game, he went around signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans sitting courtside. It was a wholesome sight to see after a decade of Leonard’s first NBA championship and Finals MVP win with the Spurs.
Kawhi showin’ love after the W 🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/CzXuD4QK0L
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 30, 2025
Leonard played for the San Antonio Spurs from 2011 to 2018, where he found a lot of success. He would go to two NBA Finals with the team and even helped win the 2014 NBA championship against the Miami Heat. This was the stage where Leonard established himself as a superstar in the NBA.
After a contract dispute with the team, Leonard was eventually traded to the Toronto Raptors. It was with the Raptors where Kawhi proved his championship win in 2014 was no flash in the pan, as he helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA championship against the Golden State Warriors.
Kawhi Shows Off Trademark Sense Of Humor
After the game, Leonard spoke to a television analyst after his big performance. She accidentally called his 27-point performance a career-high, rather than a season-high. Leonard was quick to correct her before letting out a quick chuckle.
Kawhi 😭 pic.twitter.com/k9sAY4oWx5
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 30, 2025
The funny quips didn’t end there, as in his locker room after the game, Leonard was speaking to reporters. One of them asked Leonard how he was feeling health-wise on a scale of 1-10. Kawhi hilariously responded hilariously that he was at a 10 because if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be playing.
After Kawhi was asked about his level of health, Kawhi asked how would you scale that
"1 to 10."
Kawhi: "I feel a 10, that's why I'm playing." pic.twitter.com/5lcXYWj8Pg
— Law Murray ❓ (@LawMurrayTheNU) January 30, 2025
All kidding aside, Leonard had his best game since making his return to the Clippers from injury this season, putting up 27 points (11-19 FG), six rebounds, seven assists, and one block. It looks like the Klaw is finding his footing once again, and once he gets into form, the Clippers will be an even more dangerous team.
The Clippers currently sit sixth in the Western Conference with a 27-20 record. If Leonard can continue playing himself back into form, the Clippers could make a solid push in the West to reach a top-four seed in the Western Conference.
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