Clippers-Suns series: 3 events that will surely happen, 2 surprises that might
By Will Eudy
Surefire event 2: The star power of Kawhi Leonard/Kevin Durant will shine
If there is one thing certain in this series, it is that basketball fans across the world are in for a treat. Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant will be facing each other in a playoff series for the first time since the 2019 NBA Finals, and the first time with both healthy since the 2016 Western Conference semifinals.
Kevin Durant enters this first-round matchup playing some of the best basketball of his entire career. He recently became the first player in NBA history to average 55/40/90% shooting splits over the course of an entire regular season.
It hardly seems possible, but KD has statistically been a better player since tearing his Achilles in 2019 than he was before the devastating injury. Since joining the Suns, he is averaging 26.2 points while shooting 56.4% from the floor and an absurd 53.7% from three-point range.
Those are scary numbers for the Clippers to think about, but the good news is that they have a player whose playoff form rivals any version of Kevin Durant. Kawhi Leonard will be suiting up for the playoffs for the first time since June 2021, and he will look to pick up where he left off.
When we last saw Leonard in the playoffs, he was putting up 30.4 points per game on 57% shooting, nearly single-handedly willing the Clippers to a series win over Dallas. His efficiency was off the charts, and his improved shooting numbers in 2022-23 are a good indicator that he is ready to do what he does best once again.
These two all time great playoff performers will not disappoint the national audience.