Clippers may hold shocking status as Kawhi Leonard ramps up

As the LA Clippers near in on the fourth seed, NBA fans continue to stand amazed at how successful they have been given their circumstances. Without two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard for over 75% of the games played, head coach Tyronn Lue has taken initiative by handling each battle one at a time. This has slowed things down for the entire roster.

Furthermore, Leonard made his return in early January. At first glance, the two-time champion was extremely rusty. He was not shooting well, the defense was not as dominant, and the overall burst was missing from his game.

Conversely, fans expected each of these factors, as Leonard’s game took off similarly in 2022 when he recovered from an ACL surgery.

Moreover, through a steady increase in minutes, Leonard has regained confidence in his dominance and health. Nine games in, he is dunking the ball, sprinting on fast breaks, and aggressively looking to make an impact.

Simultaneously, the Clippers are winning games with Leonard off the injury report. In fact, LA is 7-2 in the games he has played. 

That said, the Clippers look to maximize their status in the Western Conference, as their best player is back to playing the way fans are accustomed to.

Kawhi Leonard’s ramp-up will lead the Clippers into a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

In the first post-game press conference after Kawhi Leonard’s return, he had the LA Clippers’ fan base on their toes with how his knee was recuperating. 

He stated, “I don't know. Last time, I woke up, and it flared up, and I couldn't move. Now, it's just keeping it moving. I don't know; it's day-to-day.”

Leonard’s response has taken a turn in the right direction, as he was asked a similar question following the statement win in San Antonio.

The six-time all-star stated, “I feel a 10, that's why I'm playing.” 

Against the Spurs, Leonard posted his best stat line throughout nine games of action. He finished with 27 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, shooting 11-19 from the field with two three-pointers in 29 minutes. 

There are not many players in the NBA who can recover from countless severe injuries late into their careers. This adds to how generational Leonard is in comparison to league history.

Additionally, since January 4th, the Clippers have taken a notable jump offensively and reigned supreme in defensive metrics. 

Nonetheless, the Clippers are implying a strong finish to the year if their stars avoid being sidelined.