Clippers Tie Series 1-1 as Leonard Explodes for 39 vs. Nuggets

DENVER – A year ago, Kawhi Leonard was visibly struggling with inflammation in his right knee, a painful situation that ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of the LA Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks.

His recovery was a lengthy process, so much so that the Clippers adapted to playing without him for a significant portion of this season, and updates on his condition became infrequent. However, behind the scenes, Leonard diligently worked to regain his physical form, a journey that culminated in his stellar performance during the Clippers’ 105-102 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series at Ball Arena on Monday.

“I’m just happy that I’m able to move,” Leonard expressed after scoring an efficient 39 points on 15-for-19 shooting. “That’s what I’m taking pride in is just being healthy. I sat and watched these playoff games and series the past two years. So being able to be frontline out there, it just feels good for me no matter which way the game goes.”

Last season, Leonard’s attempt to prepare for the playoffs was hampered by 23 days of rest due to knee inflammation, only for the injury to worsen and ultimately rule him out. At the time, it felt like a closing window for a championship run that began when he teamed up with Paul George in 2019 and later added James Harden in a 2023 trade. While George departed last summer, Leonard and Harden both re-signed on team-friendly deals.

Leonard managed to play in just 37 games this season, prioritizing his knee health for the playoffs. So far, his body is responding positively.

“Tonight, s—, I don’t feel like he missed a shot,” Harden remarked about Leonard, who started by making his first six shots, missed a three-pointer, then sank six more consecutively. He was directly involved in 51 of the Clippers’ 105 points (49%).

“His shotmaking ability is elite,” Harden continued. “And that’s the aggressiveness that we need from him. Doesn’t matter what’s going on, or who’s guarding him, he just got to a spot and raised up. He’s a big-time player.”

Leonard’s dominance wasn’t limited to offense; he was equally impactful on defense, holding the Nuggets to just five points on 2-of-12 shooting when he was the primary defender. He also made a crucial steal of a Nikola Jokic pass (Jokic’s seventh turnover of the game) with 38 seconds remaining, preserving the Clippers’ three-point lead.

Leonard stated that he focuses on the present, whether it’s the next play or the next game, avoiding dwelling on the past or looking too far ahead. However, after Monday’s performance – arguably his best playoff game since leading the Clippers to the Western Conference finals in 2021 – he acknowledged thanking several team staffers for their support during his injury struggles.

“Anybody in the business that’s playing and knows how hard it is to either to come back from injury or just even playing in the NBA, they understand what we all go through, what I go through,” Leonard said. “… I’m not going to play like I was before. I could be playing better. I can be playing worse. It doesn’t matter. I’m just focused on it now. It’s a different team in every situation and game, so I’m just taking what’s in front of me and playing hard and like I said, having fun and just living with the results.”

Harden, despite being with the Clippers for a shorter time, expressed his appreciation for Leonard’s dedication to his recovery.

“It’s every single day,” Harden said of Leonard’s routine, emphasizing the “preparation, treatment, strengthening, correctives, and then going on court and putting it all together.” He also defended Leonard against criticisms of “load management,” highlighting the negativity surrounding his injuries and the underappreciation of his greatness when he is healthy. “As for me, being close to him every single day and seeing the work that he puts in, you appreciate him.”

Leonard’s strong finish to the regular season foreshadowed his Monday night performance. The Clippers needed every bit of his contribution to overcome the Nuggets.

Jokic recorded another triple-double (26 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) but appeared frustrated by the Clippers’ defensive strategies and physicality, resulting in an uncharacteristic seven turnovers and four missed free throws. Jamal Murray added 23 points, and Michael Porter Jr. scored 15, but the Nuggets had no answer for Leonard and couldn’t overcome their 20 turnovers, which led to 21 Clippers points.

The series will now shift to Los Angeles, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday night.