Kawhi Leonard edging closer to being the game-changer he once was for Clippers

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Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, center, tries to drive past Lakers forwards Austin Reaves, top, and Dorian Finney-Smith during the Clippers’ 116-102 win Sunday at the Intuit Dome. (Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In keeping with what has been a standard operating procedure since Kawhi Leonard has returned, the Clippers didn’t play their All-Star forward in the fourth quarter Sunday night against the Lakers.

Even when the Clippers’ 26-point lead in the third quarter was sliced to 15 by the end of the quarter and to 11 early in the fourth, Leonard sat on the bench.

But during the 24 minutes and 17 seconds Leonard did play — the most he has played this season — he was the sharpest he has been in his five games this season.

He was efficient in scoring his 19 points, going nine for 13 from the field.

Read more: Clippers show Lakers all the things they aren’t in first Intuit Dome rivalry game

“I’m happy with the progress,” Leonard said after the Clippers’ 116-102 win at the Intuit Dome. “For me, it’s just about how I’m feeling and I’m coming out of the games feeling great. But I still got work to do and we’re going to keep taking each step.”

Leonard missed the first 34 games of the season because of right knee inflammation. Sunday night gave him another opportunity to build.

When Leonard wheeled around Gabe Vincent toward the baseline and scored on a layup in the second quarter, it was another sign he was taking a step in the right direction.

“Like I said, I liked Kawhi’s pace, getting to a spot,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “We just got to keep building and continue to keep stacking days.”

Lue said Leonard will not play Monday night against the Chicago Bulls. Leonard also didn’t play Thursday in Portland after the Clippers played the day before.

The Clippers have four more games this week, including a back-to-back set on Wednesday against Boston and Thursday against Washington, which probably means Leonard won’t play in one of those games. The Clippers finish their five-game homestand Saturday against Milwaukee.

They are playing an extra game this week after the NBA made…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kawhi-leonard-edging-closer-being-070138085.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-01-20 07:01:00

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