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Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ loss in Phoenix

By Garrett Chorpenning

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 26: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Maurice Harkless #8 of the LA Clippers high-five during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 26, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 26: Montrezl Harrell #5 and Maurice Harkless #8 of the LA Clippers high-five during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 26, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 26: A close-up view of the back of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers jersey during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 26, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 26: A close-up view of the back of Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers jersey during a game against the Phoenix Suns on October 26, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kawhi Leonard continues to shine

Kawhi Leonard has had a phenomenal start to his 2019-2020 campaign, and he didn’t appear ready to slow down against the Phoenix Suns.

Just one game after setting a new career-high of nine assists against the Golden State Warriors, Leonard went for 10 against Phoenix while committing just three turnovers. In addition, Leonard tacked on 27 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block while shooting 47.8 percent (11-of-23 overall) from the floor.

Leonard already looks as though he’s made numerous improvements to his game, even since we last saw him suit up for the Toronto Raptors.

For starters, Leonard is doing things as a playmaker that he’s never done in his career. He’s always been an efficient passer, but he’s brought that to another level with the LA Clippers.

Through his first three games, Leonard has averaged 8.0 assists per contest. He’s recorded five or more assists in each, and he’s set new career-highs of nine assists and 10 assists in his last two. Looking back at last season, Leonard recorded five or more assists 15 times, and six or more assists six times.

It’s extremely early, but he looks capable of surpassing both of those totals this year — and he might do so relatively early on, too.

Like the rest of his teammates, Leonard is going to have off nights too. But he’s looked fantastic early on for the Clippers, and that’s without Paul George by his side to take some of the load off.

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