Clipperholics
Fansided

Kawhi Leonard makes MVP statement in LA Clippers’ win over Lakers

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers plays defense during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 25, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers plays defense during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 25, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kawhi Leonard went off for 35 points and 12 rebounds in the LA Clippers’ statement win over the Lakers, making his case for League MVP.

In one of the most anticipated games of the 2019-2020 regular season, the LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers delivered on the hype and gave us 48 minutes of world-class basketball. It was back-and-forth all night long, but the Clippers showed up when it mattered most to defeat the Lakers, 111-106.

Kawhi Leonard, the most coveted prize during the offseason, was undoubtedly the game’s best player. The 2019 Finals MVP exploded for 35 points, 12 rebounds and five assists on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range and 11-of-19 overall.

In doing so, he made a convincing case to be included in the MVP race.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets guard James Harden are the two frontrunners at the moment, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis aren’t far behind. Leonard, for the most part, hasn’t been considered.

But on Wednesday night — on one of the biggest stages and most important days of the NBA season — Leonard did what none of those other players could do.

He won.

It was a team effort that was responsible for delivering the win, but Leonard was the game’s most dominant player. His 35 points were a game-high, followed by Kyle Kuzma’s 25, Davis’ 24 and James’ 23. On the Clippers’ end, he was followed by Montrezl Harrell (18 points) and Paul George (17).

Leonard was fantastic on both ends of the floor. On offense, he played at his own pace and took smart, valuable shots. His five three-pointers made were a season-high. He connected on all eight of his free throw attempts. He could not be stopped — not even by the Lakers’ fifth-ranked defense.

Defensively, he was suffocating. Leonard consistently got in his opponent’s space and forced them into uncomfortable looks and places, and came close to making what would have been a game-changing steal and slam in transition. The ball rolled out of bounds before he could control it, but was all alone on his side of the floor after wrangling the ball away from James.

Even though Leonard was the game’s Most Valuable Player, it was Patrick Beverley that made the play of the game. Up 109-106 with the final seconds ticking away, Beverley stripped the ball from James just as he was pulling up for the would-be game-tying bucket. Possession was initially ruled in the Lakers’ favor, but upon review, the call was overturned.

https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/1210041810816401408

Beverley finished the night with eight points, nine rebounds and four assists — an impressive line as-is — but his game is evidence that numbers aren’t everything.

With the win, the LA Clippers move to 23-10 on the season and 9-8 on the road. Perhaps more importantly, they took a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers, which could end up being important when it comes to playoff seeding.

Next. Rumor: Andre Iguodala to be moved before deadline. dark

We’ll have more thorough takeaways from Wednesday night’s action in the morning, but for now, enjoy the win Clipper Nation.

Home/Clippers News