Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard saved the team on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings with his last-second heroics. With the clock winding down in overtime, the Kings had the upper hand with a 110-109 lead. Leonard had the ball on top of the key and was guarded by forward Keegan Murray. The two-time champion took his time and drove inside the 3-point arc on the right side. He spun to the left side of the paint and put up a left-handed jump hook at the buzzer.
WHAT A SHOT BY KAWHI LEONARD.
HIM. pic.twitter.com/o7cDfpcJas
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 10, 2025
The six-time All-Star made the basket and sealed the win for the Clippers. His teammates and the fans celebrated as the organization extended their win streak to three. James Harden led the team with his scoring of 29 points on 52.6% shooting from the field. The 11-time All-Star added nine rebounds and 11 assists for Los Angeles.
Additionally, the team’s center, Ivica Zubac, had a great night for the Clippers. The seven-foot big man had 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The man who saved the game, however, didn’t have the best shooting stroke against Sacramento. Leonard had 17 points on 7-for-19 shooting from the field. He also had a 1-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. After the game, acting head coach Brian Shaw talked about the team’s decision to go to the 6-foot-7 forward in the final seconds of the game despite his poor shooting.
“Kawhi had a tough night shooting the ball, but I’ll still put my money on him,” Shaw said.
Brian Shaw, who filled in for Ty Lue tonight, on Kawhi Leonard’s game winner:
“Kawhi had a tough night shooting the ball, but I’ll still put my money on him.” pic.twitter.com/ddwVNAn34O
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 10, 2025
Shaw had to step in as the team’s head coach against the Kings after it was reported that Ty Lue was experiencing back pain and had to return to his home. Even without Lue, the team continued their winning ways to improve to 35-29.
Los Angeles Clippers star reacts to Kawhi Leonard’s game winner
The Los Angeles Clippers have competent stars who can step up when needed. The team is fortunate enough to have Leonard and Harden, who are both capable of knocking down important shots.
Against the Kings, Harden had a better night shooting the basketball, but the team opted to go to Leonard for the most significant one. After the game, the left-handed star guard talked about his trust in his teammate to make the shot.
“Big time players make big time plays. He’s done it throughout his entire career. He struggled, but when the time is needed, he steps up and makes a big time shot… The confidence don’t change. Because he puts the work in. For him to step up and hit a game winner shows the confidence and type of player he is,” Harden said.
James Harden on Kawhi Leonard’s game winner:
“Big time players make big time plays. He’s done it throughout his entire career. He struggled, but when the time is needed, he steps up and makes a big time shot… The confidence don’t change. Because he puts the work in. For him to… pic.twitter.com/vmC4T1EGEw
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) March 10, 2025
The Clippers look to extend their win streak on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
