The last part of Kawhi Leonard’s career has been harassed by injuries and “load management”, a term with his photo next to him in the NBA Lexicon, but it has a moment that will fall into the history of basketball, it is its Buzzer-Beater winner of the game in game 7 of the semifinals of the conference this 2019 To send to the 76ers of Philadelphia home. His Toronto Raptors, of course, would win the NBA title that year.
It can be surprising given its longevity and praise, but that iconic shot was the only winning bell of the Leonard’s career game, until Sunday, that is.
The six-time All-NBA interpreter launched a left-handed hook when time expired in extra time to give the Los Angeles clippers a 111-110 victory in extra time over the Kings Sacrament. While bets were not as high as the postseason version, it was strangely similar, since both shots landed gently on the edge and needed several rebounds before falling, giving fans an exciting moment of suspense.
“Simply grateful to have obtained the victory. Happy that the ball entered,” Leonard said after the game in its typically discreet way. “That’s all, really.”
The circumstances of Sunday’s winner made it even more unlikely. Until that time, Leonard was having an ineffective ineffective night, shooting 6 for 18 from the field, including 1 of 7 from the range of 3 points. In addition, in this situation, at a point at one point with less than 24 seconds, it is generally seen that the final team triggers relatively fast to ensure that they have enough time to fail and obtain another possession if there is a failure.
Instead, Leonard was not interested in letting this game enter another extra time. He ordered the clock almost zero, making sure that his attempt was the last of the game and knowing that if the game was lost, he would end in a loss. That is an incredible confidence of an MVP of twice finals that was selected for the 75th anniversary team of the NBA. The game ended with 17 points and four rebounds in 40 minutes.
“The big players make great plays. He has done it throughout his career,” the Clippers guard, James Harden, Leonard said“He fought, but when time is needed, he advances and makes a great opportunity … trust does not change. Because he puts the job. For him to try and hit a game winner as that shows the trust and the type of player that is.”
It was also an important victory for the clippers, who fight against the teeth and nails while jockeyen for the playoff position at the western conference. Now in the number 8 after the victory, the clippers created a mattress of 1.5 games about the kings of the ninth place, and remained a game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves No. 7, which have won five in a row.
While it may not be as memorable as their first winning bell of the game, the clippers are certainly grateful for Leonard to choose this moment to get another out of his bag.
