For most of the LA Clippers' playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, which is just as equivalent as a coin toss, franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard has been in one mindset and one mindset only, and that is to score and get stops.
Has Leonard crashed the glass and swung the rock efficiently? Yes, indeed, but the six-time All-Star has made his postseason goal evident by leaving the Nuggets' coaching staff hopeless.
Well, at least that was Leonard's approach prior to game five. The Nuggets were capitalizing on double-teams through Aaron Gordon, and because it was effective, they kept spamming it. This caused the two-time champion to pivot into settling for more jumpers.
When settling for jumpers was unsuccessful, Leonard changed his entire offensive arsenal under head coach Tyronn Lue for game five. They need this style from James Harden, as Denver is severely threatened by having someone who can get a triple-double nightly.
Moreover, Leonard took the role of Harden for a game, which clearly failed, as the Clippers lost their worst of the postseason by 16 points.
Kawhi Leonard proved he can get an efficient triple-double, but it is not what the LA Clippers need from him
In game five, the LA Clippers did not take the lead once. Aaron Gordon was hitting shots while being fouled in the first, and then Jamal Murray finished the job by scoring 43 points on 26 shots.
The Clippers could have had an answer for Murray and Gordon, but James Harden shied away from the moment, and Kawhi Leonard was busier in refining his game to notch the first triple-double of his playoff career.
Furthermore, Leonard utilized one-hundred percent of his battery, scoring 20 points, 11 assists, and nine boards with only one turnover, generating an exceptional assist-turnover ratio. He still has not achieved the feat, but regardless, Tyronn Lue needs something different.
Lue needs the game two Leonard to come back and win games six and seven. This is the only way LA can take the series to Oklahoma City, as the Denver Nuggets showed they do not need Nikola Jokic to record a marvelous stat line to have a chance.
If Leonard continues to be passive rather than aggressive on the win or go home stage tonight, the Clippers' season is done for. This would also lead to a summer with question marks over who is staying and leaving.