After a key win over the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers are now fully focused on their first-round playoff matchup against the Denver Nuggets. In that context, Kawhi Leonard opened up about what continues to motivate him to compete at the highest level—and move beyond the physical setbacks that have challenged him in recent years.
“I love the game. I love the game. I have a passion for it still. I love to compete out there,” Leonard said during a press conference this week, as shared by reporter Joey Linn on his X account. “That’s pretty much what drives me back. Everything has its ups and downs. You have to go through that in life and just keep going.”
Kawhi’s resurgence, following a season marked by injuries that limited his availability, is one of the biggest strengths the Clippers bring into the series—alongside the experience and skillset of James Harden.
Asked whether he feels the need to prove anything to others—or even to himself—at this stage of his career, the forward was direct: “No. I’m always just playing basketball, having fun and trying to get to that next step… And now we’re in the playoffs, so just that. Just trying to win games. That’s it.”
Kawhi Leonard knows what the playoffs are all about
Kawhi Leonard has delivered some of his best performances on the NBA’s biggest stage. He’s a two-time champion—first with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, and then with the Toronto Raptors in 2019—and was named Finals MVP both times. His playoff resume is a testament not only to his talent and impact, but also to his championship mindset.
In his press conference, Leonard was asked if he has any secrets for raising his game when the postseason arrives. “Just probably playing, wanting to win,” he explained. “It’s drilling down to maybe your last games of the season. Just like how it was at the end of our season now. Now you either got 4 or 7 times to play, within that range. So I think it’s just leaving it all out on the floor and going into the summer knowing you tried to give it your all.”
The Nuggets respect Kawhi
The Los Angeles Clippers will open their Western Conference first-round series against a troubled team. The Denver Nuggets will enter the playoffs without Michael Malone, the head coach who guided them to this point and who was surprisingly dismissed last week.
Taking Malone’s place is David Adelman, and the interim coach is well aware of the challenge that Leonard presents. “He’s one of the best two-way players of all time,” Adelman said this week when asked about Kawhi. “Without injury, I think we’d be talking about him as one of the top players to ever play the game… He’s good for the game. We need more two-way guys like that.”
SURVEY Who has the edge in the race to the Western Conference semifinals?
Who has the edge in the race to the Western Conference semifinals?
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