Not James Harden: Clippers star Kawhi Leonard confesses a teammate that motivates him

The Los Angeles Clippers lost Game 1 to the Denver Nuggets. However, they bounced back and won the next two games. Kawhi Leonard played a key role in the turnaround, leading the offense in both victories. Moreover, veteran guard James Harden also delivered strong performances, becoming the team’s second-most prolific scorer. After the latest win, Leonard opened up about a teammate that motivates him, and it was not James Harden.

“It’s guys on the floor that want to guard. They’re not just pointing at me and telling me to take him… They motivate me defensively. Especially Kris Dunn,“ stated Kawhi Leonard. His comments reflect a growing maturity, recognizing that his standout performance was made possible in large part by the defensive efforts of Dunn, who delivered a stellar showing against a brilliant Nikola Jokic and helped minimize his impact.

Besides, Kawhi’s acknowledgment of Dunn’s contribution underscores the Clippers’ commitment to a complete, two-way game. Dunn’s ability to disrupt Jokic, one of the NBA’s most dominant forces, proved critical to the team’s success. While Leonard continues to set the tone offensively, the Clippers’ defense is emerging as an equally vital pillar of their playoff push.

As the series moves forward, the Clippers will need to maintain this defensive intensity to complement their scoring prowess. Leonard’s leadership, combined with Dunn’s tenacity on defense, is a reminder that this roster is more than a collection of star power. With the right balance between offense and defense, the Clippers look poised for a deep postseason run.

Kris Dunn #8 of the LA Clippers in the second half at Intuit Dome on April 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Clippers star James Harden analyzes his team’s season and playoff performance

James Harden has built an important legacy during his career in the NBA. With the Houston Rockets, he showed his full potential and earned recognition as one of the best players in MVP conversations. However, one major achievement still escapes him: winning a championship. Now, many believe this season could finally give Harden the title he needs to complete his historic résumé.

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James Harden claims ‘killer mentality’ was key to Clippers’ win vs Nuggets in NBA Playoffs Game 3

For that reason, Harden took time to analyze his team’s performance this season. He emphasized the strengths of two key teammates in particular. “I think we got the team. We can play isolation basketball with two great ISO players. We got postgame with Zu [Ivica Zubac] and Whi [Leonard]. Defensively, we’ve been really, really good all year…we focus on ourselves. We are playing well right now.”