Kawhi Leonard Leads Clippers’ Historic Turnaround
Kawhi Leonard had a clear message after the Los Angeles Clippers achieved one of the most improbable milestones in NBA history: “Job’s not finished.”
The two-time Finals MVP was unstoppable, dropping 45 points in just 32 minutes during the Clippers' 153-128 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win nudged Los Angeles to a 33-32 record, a remarkable achievement given their rocky start. After beginning the season 6-21, the Clippers became the first team in NBA history to rise above .500 after being at least 15 games below during the same season.
While such a milestone might typically spark celebration, Leonard kept his focus sharp.
“It’s cool,” Leonard remarked post-game about reaching the .500 mark. “But job ain’t done.
Season not over. It’s what’s expected.
Like I told the fellas, we don’t train to lose. We train to win.
So yeah, it’s alright. We still got games to play.
It’s nothing to be happy about.”
A Season of Resilience
The Clippers’ season seemed doomed before it even took off. Starting with a dismal 6-21, including a tough November where they lost 13 of 15 games, the team faced locker-room tensions, roster changes, and significant injuries, such as Bradley Beal’s season-ending hip injury.
The tide turned on December 20, when the Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 103-88. From there, the season's trajectory changed dramatically. In January, the Clippers went on a 16-3 run, moving from 6-21 to 22-24, becoming the first team to hit .500 within two games after such a poor start.
Leonard has since returned to his superstar form, reminiscent of his championship runs with Toronto and San Antonio. Against Minnesota, he delivered one of the most efficient performances of his career, scoring 45 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out five assists, and securing two steals. He also hit six three-pointers, shooting 15-of-20 from the field.
This performance marked Leonard as the first player in Clippers history to record 45+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers while shooting at least 75% from the field in a single game.
In his last 43 games, Leonard has been averaging 33.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per 75 possessions, while shooting 57% on two-pointers, 38% from three, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Clippers Building Momentum
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue sees the potential finally coming to fruition.
“I just think we can be a good team,” Lue said before the win. “We could put a lot of different combinations out on the floor. But I feel very confident that we can be a really good team.”
Health has been a significant factor. Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins highlighted Leonard’s availability as a crucial element in the team’s resurgence.
“This is the healthiest we’ve seen Kawhi in a long time,” Cousins noted on FanDuel’s Run It Back podcast. “That’s great for the Clippers, great for basketball in general.”
The remaining schedule could further bolster their momentum, featuring games against the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trail Blazers-all teams either below .500 or outside the playoff picture.
For a team once buried in the Western Conference standings, the opportunity is now tangible.
Yet, Leonard’s message is unwavering. The Clippers may have rewritten history by clawing back above .500, but in Leonard’s eyes, the comeback isn’t complete until the season is over.