The Los Angeles Lakers last faced the LA Clippers in the 2025–26 regular season, and as those matchups usually are, it also lost. And while LeBron James was there to close out the game, Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave late with an ankle injury.
James finished the night with 13 points, three rebounds and 11 assists on 5-of-13 shooting for the Lakers, who defeated the Clippers 125–122. Kawhi Leonard produced 31 points, four rebounds and five assists on 11-of-19 shooting in 31 minutes of play before departing with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.
After the game, LeBron James was asked about Kawhi Leonard and his resiliency to come back from injury and perform at an All-Star level.
“Kawhi is amazing, man,” James said. "He's the best. He's one of the best players ever. And I couldn't care less about injuries. Those things, you can't control. You can only control the guys, and the things he's controlling is how he comes back and how much perseverance he has every time."
In 42 appearances this season, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 49 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and 90.7 percent from the free throw line.
His strong play throughout the season, but especially since mid-December, has been a big reason why the Clippers have been able to climb out of the 6-21 hole they started the season with.
“He's a – that guy is amazing,” LeBron James continued. "I swear. I have nothing but good things to say about Kawhi and the kind of basketball he's been playing the last few months. I mean, he's been the same for a season. I'm not surprised by this. On another note, I was disappointed on the 2024 Olympic team when he wasn't able to go with us. I was hoping to make the team with the 'Whee' as well. I was a little disappointed about that when he had to deal with another injury. Spent some time with him, but listen, he's great. He had 31 points in 12 minutes. Obviously, I could talk about him all night."
I heard LeBron James speak incredibly highly of Kawhi Leonard when I asked him about the resiliency he saw in him:
"Kawhi is amazing, man. He's the best. He's one of the best players ever. I couldn't care less about injuries... That guy is amazing. I swear I don't have anything... pic.twitter.com/GipDxoJRfX
- Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 21 February 2026
Kawhi Leonard has dealt with a number of injuries in his career, from a torn ACL to a torn meniscus, not to mention quad and knee inflammation difficulties, in recent years.
LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard have not played 40 games against each other – 28 in the regular season and 12 in the playoffs. Leonard has won 15 of those 28 regular season games and seven of those 12 playoff games.
James and his Miami Heat won the 2013 NBA Championship against Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard and his Spurs defeated James and his Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.
