Leonard goes berserk as Washington falls short to the LA Clippers

Although the LA Clippers were missing quite a few players, franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard showed to the fans, once again, that he is officially back. Not only is he consistently showing aggression, but Leonard has been the Clippers’ best defensive player. This explains why head coach Tyronn Lue was able to pull away with the nine-point victory.

Furthermore, Leonard was locked in against the Washington Wizards as he posted a season-high 31 points, along with nine rebounds and three steals. This is highly motivating for Clipper fans, as Leonard’s health ultimately dictates the franchise’s title odds.

On that note, Leonard’s star teammate Paul George may be battling injuries, but his game seems fluid as the only issue is getting to his spots. With these two healthy, it is clear that Lue has the most unstoppable team in the NBA. In addition, the slashing wing, Norman Powell has also missed time. This adds to how loaded the LA Clippers genuinely are.

Behind Leonard was the sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard who ripped the lights out against the Wizards. On top of his 20 points and four rebounds, Kennard went 4-6 from beyond the arc, as well as a solid defensive outing that will not show up in the box scores. It is safe to say that he is, unquestionably, a top-three shooter in the world.

Leonard’s excellence is just a glimpse of what is yet to come for the LA Clippers.

With Kawhi Leonard shining on both ends of the court, no team in the NBA can last a seven-game series with the LA Clippers. Especially once he has found his rhythm, opponents will have no chance of stopping him from scoring.

However, the Clippers will have to shoot better from the free-throw line if they want to battle with some of the best teams in the league. Finishing a contest on ten missed opportunities will pave the way for a loss, specifically in the postseason. This has been an issue all year, as the Clippers are currently 25th in the NBA in free-throw efficiency.

Moreover, the Clippers shot over 40% from three while also out-rebounding a gutsy Wizards squad. This is the recipe for success, as finding good looks around the perimeter puts the team in a position to win games. Once shots fall, the ball movement and defense will start to come together, pushing the momentum in the Clippers’ favor.

That said, the LA Clippers will receive a three-day break before battling a familiar face with the Charlotte Hornets. This contest should be seen as a must-win for LA, as they need to build a solid winning streak. The main goal should be a defensive-first mindset, which will lead the Clippers to an outstanding showing on the offensive end.