Kawhi Leonard Celebrates His New Deal, Leading Clippers To Win
Payday for the “Board Man” came first. Then he and the Clippers were victorious.
Many hours following the All-Star wing On Wednesday, Kawhi Leonard agreed to a three-year contract deal for $152.3 million. He also scored 29 points as the Clippers gradually rallied to defeat the struggling Toronto Raptors 126-120 at Crypto.com Arena, improving their record to 24-13.
With one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Kawhi Leonard curved his way to the hoop and finished with a right-handed slam to give his team a six-point advantage. With 36 seconds remaining, Leonard drove into the lane, drew a second defender, and passed to Paul George for a swished three-pointer and a six-point lead after that was cut to three.
George also had 29 points in the end. Ivica Zubac finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden scored 14 points and disheveled 11 assists.
Although they only made 13 free throws and were outrebounded, the Clippers have won their 16th game in 19 since December 1. Even so, they hit three more three-pointers than Toronto did, and they capitalized on 15 Raptors turnovers for 17 points, as opposed to Toronto’s 15–23 points on the Clippers’ seven mistakes.
With star Pascal Siakam sidelined due to an injured back for the second straight game, Toronto’s guards consistently beat defenses to the paint and down the court, forcing the Clippers to keep up. Toronto made 54% of its shots and never let up.
After neither team led by more than ten points after the first three quarters, the Clippers pulled away from the Raptors in the fourth quarter, leading by ten with seven minutes remaining. They then went to what has become their go-to closing lineup, starting with Leonard, George, Harden, and Zubac, along with reserve Norman Powell.
Even if it wasn’t a landslide, everyone who participated had a profitable day, which is what the Clippers had hoped for.
