This year, the LA Clippers have been the beneficiary of incredibly good injury luck. Paul George is the only of the Clippers' big four to have missed a game this season, and his one missed game due to hip soreness is a minor flaw on LA's injury record in 2023-24.
For a team that has been missing key players far too often in the last several years, Clippers fans have to be thrilled to see their top players on the floor on a nightly basis. Of course, the most important player of all continues to be Kawhi Leonard.
For years, Kawhi has been known as a two-way superstar that performs his best when the playoffs come around. But this season, he has also returned to form as one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA.
In fact, according to statistics, he is the single most efficient scorer in the league. As of December 18, Kawhi scores the most points per possession of any player in the association.
The most efficient offensive players in the #NBA so far this season: pic.twitter.com/M0jk06conj
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) December 18, 2023
Kawhi scores more points per possession than any player in the NBA
Among all players logging at least 18 possessions per game, no one averages more points per possession than Leonard. His 1.17 points per possession mark stands above other efficient scorers like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
This is the type of player you want leading your offense. Kawhi's ability to get to his spots and get off the right shots at the right time shows his veteran scoring ability. Not to mention he does it all while still being one of the better defenders in the league on the other end of the floor.
This skill is helping the Clippers' offense round into form now, but it will become an even more valuable trait come playoff time. When the game slows down and buckets are harder to come by, Kawhi will be able to keep LA in the game during times where other teams might struggle to score.