Kawhi Leonard Reminds NBA Why He’s Called ‘The Klaw’ with Dominant Playoff Performance

A Return to Dominance

Kawhi Leonard has returned to the NBA playoffs with renewed vigor this year, no longer watching from the sideline. The 33-year-old two-time Finals MVP is demonstrating his prowess as the fifth-seeded LA Clippers face the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

Historic Performance

Leonard’s recent Game 2 performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Coming off a 22-point showing in Game 1, he elevated his game dramatically, delivering an almost unstoppable performance with 39 points on 15-for-19 shooting, while adding three rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes of action.

This remarkable display put Leonard in elite company, making him just the fifth player in NBA Playoff history to score 39-plus points on 78.9% shooting efficiency, joining the ranks of Devin Booker, Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand, and Terry Porter.

Impact on the Series

The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, acknowledged Leonard’s dominance, questioning whether any shot is truly difficult for him when he’s in such form. While Denver could try to trap Leonard more aggressively, doing so risks creating opportunities for James Harden and other Clippers, yet defending him one-on-one leaves them vulnerable to such explosive performances.

Looking Ahead

As the series progresses, the Nuggets face the daunting task of containing Leonard over potentially seven games. Despite his injury history and advancing years, Leonard has proven he can still be an unstoppable force. For Denver to have any chance in this series, they must accept this reality and plan accordingly.

The Clippers enter the postseason as the league’s hottest team, having won eight consecutive games, and with Leonard playing at this level, they’ve established themselves as serious contenders in the Western Conference playoffs.