Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard handled things well for the team during the final moments of the game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. With the Kings leading 110-109, Leonard took the chance to play hero ball and lead the Clippers to a 111-110 victory. The two-time champion did not disappoint and extended the team’s win to three games.
The game was tight as it went past the fourth quarter and both teams had to endure overtime. The Clippers’ hero for the night, however, wasn’t present for a period during the extended period. While players like James Harden, Ivica Zubac and Amir Coffey were all on the floor following the fourth quarter, Leonard was limited to three minutes.
But that was still enough time for Leonard to lead the team to a victory and improve the team’s record to 35-29. After the game, the two-time Finals MVP was asked about his time on the bench during a crucial moment. According to the 6-foot-7 star, he didn’t like that he was on the bench and talked about how he wanted to play for his team that time.
Leonard said the Clippers have capped his playing time. However, the coaching staff told the forward that he’d return to the game; they just wanted him to sit for a while.
“I wanted to play. I’m kind of capped on the minutes, but 36 minutes is a lot of minutes. It was about me just wanting to finish that game. They told me they were going to sit me for a minute and bring me back in. I was just itching to get back in,” Leonard said.
“I wanted to play. I’m kind of capped on the minutes, but 36 minutes is a lot of minutes. It was about me just wanting to finish that game. They told me they were going to sit me for a minute and bring me back in. I was just itching to get back in.”
Kawhi Leonard on sitting… pic.twitter.com/VsM5MotlY1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 10, 2025
The two-way forward played 40 minutes, which is the most for him this season. Leonard had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists on 36.8% shooting.
Kawhi Leonard didn’t like the late-game offense of the Kings’ duo
Credit: Getty Images
Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers had to face the dynamic duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. To Leonard, he didn’t have fun with how the two stars performed late in the game as they were difficult to stop. DeRozan had 18 points and LaVine had nine points in the fourth quarter and overtime periods.
Even though Leonard is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, he didn’t like how the Kings duo was able to score at will against them.
“I didn’t enjoy it. I loved us scoring the basketball, but those are great players. DeMar getting to his spots and just rising up, knocking down his famous 2-point pull-up. Zach getting into the paint, hitting a big 3.”
“I didn’t enjoy it. I loved us scoring the basketball, but those are great players. DeMar getting to his spots and just rising up, knocking down his famous 2-point pull-up. Zach getting into the paint, hitting a big 3.”
Kawhi Leonard on facing Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan’s… pic.twitter.com/3azh1VkYwG
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 10, 2025
Offensively, Leonard didn’t have the best game as he had seven points in the fourth quarter and overtime. However, those were some of the most important points that gave them the victory.
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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.
