標籤: Leonards

I’m not here to tell you that Tyree Wilson went seventh overall after being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. she has not. Through three years, a 57.6 PFF grade, and a pass-rush win rate that ranks 106th out of 126 edge rushers from 2023. These numbers don’t lie.

But I’m also not ready to put a bust label on him and move on. not yet.

Here’s the thing about Wilson that gets lost in the frustration: The Raiders are asking him to do something he was never meant to do. They have drafted him as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, a wide-9 speed rusher who wins off the edge with bends and athleticism. That’s not his game. It never was.

Wilson is 6 feet 6 inches, 263 pounds. He is a power player. Length and leverage are his tools, not ankle flexibility and cornerback speed. And for three years, three different coaching staffs have tried to fit that square peg into a round hole.

Rob Leonard’s 3-4 could eventually change that.

No one is talking about this plan

When Clint Kubiak announced at the combine that the Raiders were shifting to a 3-4 base under Leonard, much of the conversation focused on Maxx Crosby. Exactly – Crosby is the best player on defense. But the more interesting subplot is what this means for Tyree Wilson.

In Leonard’s system, Wilson projects as a 4-technique or 5-technique. This means he is hitting the inside with the tackle’s shoulder, using his length to control the gap and using his strength to collapse the pocket from the inside. That’s a completely different question than what he’s doing.

Think about it. Wilson’s struggles came when he was asked to win in space, turning the corner against NFL tackles who could mirror his running. Inside? The space shrinks. The game slows down. His height becomes an advantage rather than something he tries to compensate for.

Leonard coached Wilson as D-line coach the past two seasons. He knows exactly what Wilson can and can’t do. The change in plans is not accidental.

Tyree Wilson’s numbers behind the disappointment

Wilson’s 2025 wasn’t a complete disaster. He recorded career highs in tackles (35) and tackles for loss (8). He forced two to falter. He generated 35 pressures.

But the termination rate killed him. Wilson had 10 tackles missed, which was also a career high. 60.4 pass-rush grade which ranks 77th among qualified edge defenders. There were glimpses, but there was no stability.

The season finale against Kansas City provided a glimpse of what could be. Two sacks, two forced fumbles, eight pressures, 31.2% win rate. Granted, he was going against a backup tackle. But you can only beat who is in front of you and Wilson dominated that fight as he rarely has in his career.

The question is whether it was a preview or an external one.

The 5-year option has almost certainly expired

The Raiders have until May 1 to make a decision on Wilson’s 5th-year option. It will cost approximately $13 million.

They are not picking it up. I would be stunned if they did.

Jon Spytek did not draft Wilson. He has no emotional investment in the pickup. And paying $13 million for a player who hasn’t earned a 60 PFF grade in three seasons is not consistent with how this front office operates. SpyTech wants value. Wilson, at that price, right.

That doesn’t mean Wilson is done in Las Vegas. This means that 2026 is truly the year to prove it. He’ll play out the final season of his rookie deal at around $8 million, and if he breaks out, he’ll either be extended or hit free agency with leverage. If he doesn’t, it’s someone else’s reclamation project.

ration gary blueprint

Here’s the optimistic case. Rashaan Gary was a top-15 pick for the Packers, who looked bad during his first two seasons. Then Year 3 hit, he found his role, and through October 2023, he signed a four-year, $96 million extension.

The physical profiles are similar. Both are long, powerful and took time to translate college dominance into NFL production. The difference is that Green Bay stuck with Gary long enough to let him click.

Wilson is his third head coach in three years. That kind of instability does not help development. Leonard represents his first real continuity – a coach who has been in the building, who knows his strengths and weaknesses, and who is now installing a scheme that theoretically fits him better.

He is nothing.

what to watch with tyree wilson

The first phase of the offseason program is underway. Wilson is going to get his first real reps in Leonard’s system over the next few months. By training camp, we should get a feel for whether the 4i/5-technique role really unlocks something or whether the physical tools don’t translate at the NFL level.

I am not predicting a breakout. Wilson hasn’t earned that optimism. But I am also not writing him off.

The Raiders finally have a scheme that fits his skill set, a coordinator who knows his game inside and out and a front office that will give him another year to figure it out. If it doesn’t happen in 2026, it’s not happening.

But what if this happens? This defense suddenly has a real second threat facing Crosby. And that changes everything.

RELATED: Zack Beech and Donte Thornton are auditioning for their jobs with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

Nobody talks about base defense anymore. This is the dirty little secret of modern NFL football – most teams spend most of their snaps in nickel or dime packages and the “base” defense is more of a philosophical starting point than an actual game plan.

So when Clint Kubiak stood on a stage in Indianapolis during the NFL Combine and announced the Raiders were shifting to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, some people shrugged their shoulders.

They shouldn’t.

This is not a minor change. This is a complete identity improvement for a defense that was one of the worst teams in the league a year ago. And while the base package won’t dominate the snap count on Sunday, the 3-4 framework shapes every personnel decision Las Vegas makes between now and kickoff — in free agency, in the draft and in the film room. If you want to understand where this team is going defensively, that’s where you have to start.

What is Rob Leonard really building? with las vegas raiders

Leonard is taking over as an NFL defensive coordinator for the first time, which is either a red flag or a sign of how much Jon Spytek and Kubiak trust him. Spytek worked hard to get Leonard the job after sitting in on interviews last year when Pete Carroll was also evaluating him for the DC role. Kubiak met him, was quickly sold and handed the keys.

Leonard’s background tells you the type of defense Las Vegas is trying to build. He learned under Brian Flores in Miami and Mike McDonald in Baltimore. Don’t expect a steady, vanilla 3-4. Expect multiple fronts, heavy doses of the 3-3-5 on third downs, constant stunts and rotations, and linebackers with real responsibilities before and after the snap. Macdonald’s fingerprints are all over this thing.

Kubiak called it “the starting point”. How far this defense goes depends entirely on the players Leonard has to work with.

What this means for the Raiders roster

The Raiders spent four years under Patrick Graham’s 4-3 defense. Before that, Carroll’s score was 4-2-5. The roster was built around those plans – or mostly ignored them. Creates 3-4 immediate, specific needs.

You need a true nose tackle. A space-eating, double-team-absorbing anchor in the middle of the line. The attackers don’t have any. This need is reflected in free agency and the draft alike.

You need linebackers who can do more than just play downhill. In the 3-4, the outside linebackers are hybrid pass rushers who drive against the run and occasionally drop into coverage. It’s a different beast than the traditional 4-3 end. Leonard’s scheme will rotate bodies heavily and demand athleticism at every level. Right now, this roster is thin at both spots.

Max Crosby Fits: Full Stop

Crosby is a raider. The Baltimore trade is gone. And the 3-4 transition directly impacts what he’s already doing well.

Crosby has always been a stand-up edge player by nature. Operating as a 3-4 outside linebacker gives him more freedom in his pass-rush setup and the ability to crash inside or go wide depending on what he sees in the snap. This scheme doesn’t just accommodate Crosby — it could unlock a version of him we haven’t seen in a few years.

Tyree Wilson even has a genuine attempt to figure it out. He has been misunderstood as a traditional defensive end ever since Las Vegas drafted him in the first round. Going in with the 4i-tech plays on his length and strength rather than asking him to win with the athleticism and bends he doesn’t have. Wilson’s 2026 will define whether he has a future with this franchise or not. A change of plan gives him his best shot.

bottom line

Scheme changes alone can’t fix a 14-game losing defense. But overhauling his defensive identity with a coordinator trained by the best minds in the business and a head coach willing to give him real authority is at least a coherent plan.

3-4 There is no magic pill. This is a framework. What Leonard and Spytek build inside between now and the draft in Pittsburgh will tell us whether this defense can be competitive in 2026 or whether it’s just another long year for Raider Nation.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

The NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard is still ongoing. The Clippers reportedly attempted to circumvent the NBA salary cap by paying money to Leonard through a bankrupt company called Aspiration. No verdict has been reached on the scam; However, the Clippers may lose Leonard.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joins Rachel Nichols on Open Floor to discuss the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers. Although nothing has been disclosed by the NBA, there is a possibility that Leonard’s contract could be voided.

“It is relevant as [Kawhi Leonard]contract,” Mannix said. “If [the NBA] Decides that ‘Hey, we can void Kawhi’s contract because we deem it invalid because of how this all came together.’ There’s a lot – I mean, there’s as much discussion about anything in the NBA right now. Anything. “Every field I go to, I hear about it, every conversation I have with league and team officials, this comes up.”

This would not be the first time that the NBA has canceled a contract. In 2000, the NBA voided Joe Smith’s contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after circumventing the salary cap. There is precedent for a voided contract, and the Clippers could face similar penalties with Leonard.

Other possible penalties for Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

There are other potential penalties for Leonard and the Clippers. If the NBA gets things wrong with Los Angeles, the organization could be stripped of multiple first-round selections, fined a large amount of money, and face a suspension or worse in the basketball personnel department.

With Minnesota, the NBA stripped the organization of five first-round selections, fined the organization $3.5 million, and suspended Timberwolves executives Kevin McHale and Glenn Taylor. The Clippers could face a similar punishment that would cripple the organization’s future.

As far as Leonard is concerned, the biggest penalty would be to cancel the contract with the Clippers, but suspension or fine cannot be ruled out. It all depends on what the NBA finds in its investigation. If the NBA voids the superstar’s contract, it would likely spark a bidding war in free agency, if not his future in jeopardy.

It’s unclear when the NBA will reveal its findings and potential penalties, but the Clippers may be on the verge of a watershed moment in team history. If the NBA decides to give up, it will have a huge impact on Los Angeles’ future and set the organization back for a long time.

It would start with Leonard’s contract being voided, which would shock the NBA.

READ MORE: Rumor opens door to Spurs and Kawhi Leonard reuniting this summer

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The LA Clippers have been working with different lineups since the NBA trade deadline as the team looks for ways to incorporate their newest players.

Darius Garland, Benedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson all joined the Clippers via trades during deadline week, as James Harden and Ivica Zubac were surprisingly shipped out in the process. However, on Wednesday night, the Clippers debuted their new look, which could be their lineup for the remainder of the season and the postseason if they qualify.

Kawhi Leonard warmed up and was upgraded to available just before the game, while Garland was upgraded to available after the team’s morning shootaround. Given the back-to-back sets they were playing, there was some concern that both could miss games.

Darius Garland started Wednesday’s game along with Derrick Jones Jr., Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Brook Lopez, the first time those five have shared the floor this season. Chris Dunne was relegated to a role off the bench, with Collins replacing him in the starting lineup.

Clippers Starters:

darius garland
derrick jones jr
kawhi leonard
john collins
brook lopez

Pelican:

Dejounte Murray
Trey Murphy III
Saddiq Bey
zion williamson
herbert jones

– Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 18 March 2026

Since acquiring three players at the deadline, this Clippers team has still never been complete. Darius Garland missed the first month after the trade due to heavy management of recent toe injuries. Meanwhile, John Collins suffered two scary neck-related injuries and missed nine games due to them.

Although the Clippers are scheduled to debut their new starting lineup on Wednesday, they are still playing this entire three-game road trip without a big player in Benedict Mathurin. Mathurin has played 16 games for the Clippers, averaging 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

“We know we’ve got three tough games,” head coach Tyronn Lue said before Wednesday’s game. “We’ve just got to come out and take it one by one. I know it’s back-to-backs, but they’re playing hard, competing, and we’ve got to come out and do the same. We understand who they are. They’re playing to win, they’re playing for something, and we’ve got to get stuck in.”

The Clippers have fielded only one lineup that has played more than seven games this season, and two players from that lineup – James Harden and Ivica Zubac – were traded in early February. Since the deadline, the Clippers have been checking out different starting units as they try to figure out what works best for them. In total, the Clippers have used 21 different starting lineups, including Wednesday night.

On this three-game trip, the Clippers have the New Orleans Pelicans twice and the Dallas Mavericks once on Saturday night, before returning home for a two-game homestand against the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors.

The Los Angeles Clippers lost to the San Antonio Spurs 119–115, and Kawhi Leonard’s absence quickly became the main story. The star forward missed the game and his absence was felt at key moments at both ends of the field. According to Tomer Azzarly of ClutchPoints, Kawhi Leonard is day-to-day with the injury, but is expected to travel with the Clippers on their upcoming three-game road trip. The update offers some optimism, although questions still remain as the team tries to stabilize its season.

The Clippers are now 34-34 and in 8th place in the Western Conference. The team has lost two consecutive games, even though it has won seven of its last 10 games. Still, the defeat to Spurs highlighted a familiar issue. Without Leonard, execution becomes less reliable late in games. Crime slows down. The defense loses some lead. In such tough matches, it’s the little things that decide everything.

Leonard remains the engine of this team. He is averaging 28.3 points per game, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from beyond the arc. His efficiency and control shape the Clippers’ identity. When he plays, everything looks sharp. When he sits, the margin for error diminishes exponentially.

Road trip pressure increases for Clippers

Now comes a serious turn. The Clippers suffered back-to-back losses against the New Orleans Pelicans before taking on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Both teams sit near the bottom of the Western Conference, but the Clippers can’t take any matchup lightly.

If Leonard returns, the Clippers will regain balance. Ball movement improves. Confidence awakens. If he remains marginalised, the pressure shifts to the supporting cast. As the playoff race gets tighter, each possession will carry more weight.

This road trip may shape their trajectory. Can the Clippers stay afloat while managing Kawhi Leonard’s injury, or will this stretch test their limits at the worst time?

The Los Angeles Clippers not only beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night; He embarrassed them. But while Kawhi Leonard was busy putting on a historic masterpiece, the real fireworks began after the final buzzer sounded at the Intuit Dome.

In a game in which Leonard went completely nuclear, the Clippers won 153–128, which was marred by a post-game brawl. Tensions eventually flared up when a heated exchange broke out between Naz Reed, Jaden McDaniels and Benedict Mathurin, requiring teammates and security to separate the groups. The frustration on the part of the Minnesota Timberwolves was understandable, considering they were on the wrong end of one of the most efficient scoring performances in NBA history.

Naz Reed, Jaden McDaniels and Benedict Mathurin get into an altercation after the game 👀

pic.twitter.com/EAf5Y3T93J https://t.co/rwzwGhRYRu

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 12 March 2026

Kawhi Leonard was the catalyst for all that frustration. “The Claw” finished with 45 points, five rebounds and five assists, but efficiency was the terrible part. Leonard shot a whopping 15 of 20 from the field, including 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. He also missed 9 of 10 free throws, essentially scoring at will against a Minnesota defense that currently ranks among the league’s elite.

While Anthony Edwards tried to keep pace with 36 points, the Timberwolves had no answer for a Clippers team that shot 63 percent as a unit. Julius Randle contributed 18 points in the loss, but the lack of defensive resistance clearly took its toll on the visiting team. The postgame melee between Mathurin and the Timberwolves’ frontcourt duo looked like a direct byproduct of a 25-point blowout.

For the Clippers, this win did more than just provide highlights; It takes them above the .500 mark for the first time since their disappointing 5-20 start. If Leonard continues to play at this “cyborg” level of efficiency, the rest of the Western Conference players are going to have a lot more to worry about.

Kawhi Leonard accomplished an impressive feat in franchise history after his performance in the Los Angeles Clippers’ win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

Leonard is in the 15th season of his NBA career, his seventh with the Clippers. Despite injuries impacting his time with the franchise, he continued to shine as one of the league’s best veteran stars when healthy.

His latest game against New Orleans was another example of his elite skills. In 29 minutes of action, Leonard finished with a stat line of 23 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. He shot 8 of 18 from the field, including 1 of 7 from beyond the arc and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line.

As a result, Leonard has maintained his 20-point streak for the 37th consecutive game. As a result, according to reporter Tomer Azzarly, he made franchise history by tying with Bob McAdoo in statistical scoring.

“Kawhi Leonard has extended his streak of 20+ point games to 37 straight. This is the third-longest streak in franchise history. Kawhi becomes the only player in franchise history to score 20 points in 37 consecutive games, joining Bob McAdoo,” Azarly wrote.

Kawhi Leonard, how the Clippers played against the Pelicans

Kawhi Leonard’s impressive performance continues, leading the Clippers to a dominant 137-117 win over the Pelicans.

Five players scored in double figures for Los Angeles in the win, including Leonard. Jordan Miller delivered a strong performance with 19 points, eight assists, three steals and two rebounds. He made 5 of 6 shots overall, including 1 of 1 from downtown and 8 of 11 from the charity stripe. Derrick Jones Jr. was next with 17 points and two rebounds, Brook Lopez had 16 points and seven rebounds, while John Collins provided 15 points and seven rebounds.

Los Angeles improved to a 28–31 record on the season and finished ninth in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies while trailing the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.

The Clippers will look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Warriors as tip-off takes place on March 2 at 10 PM ET.

On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles Clippers suffered their second consecutive loss with a close home loss to the Orlando Magic. It was a tightly contested game throughout, but ultimately, the Clippers fell when Benedict Mathurin’s last-second shot to win the game hit the back of the iron and fell out.

After the game, Kawhi Leonard, who passed out to Mathurin for an open look, had a supportive message for the Clippers’ recent trade acquisition from the Indiana Pacers.

According to Joe Lynn of Sports Illustrated on Twitter, “Ben got wide open. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do it. But that’s basketball. Things happen. We took a good look and he’ll be ready next time.”

Mathurin also got 100% real insight into the missed shots, as well as what it means to have someone like Leonard in his corner.

“It was great to have that experience. Obviously I wish I had made that shot, but there’s nothing I can do except work on it more… It means a lot. In my opinion, [Kawhi] He is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. So for them to come out to show love and support and show that there’s a lot more ahead of me – for a guy who’s made a lot of shots, it was great to see,” he said.

The Clippers have now lost two straight games following their recent win over the Denver Nuggets, but they are still comfortably in postseason position in the Western Conference, sitting five games above the Memphis Grizzlies for the final play-in spot.

Mathurin was acquired from the Pacers in exchange for big man Ivica Zubac as part of the Clippers’ trade deadline fire sale, in which they sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland.

The Clippers next play on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The LA Clippers picked up a win against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night thanks to big scoring from Benedict Mathurin and Kawhi Leonard. However, he also got assistance from Jamal Murray.

Down by three points, the Nuggets first-time NBA All-Star guard was fouled on a three-point shot attempt with 0.9 remaining on the game clock and no timeouts remaining for either team. Murray, historically a clutch free throw shooter, stepped to the free throw line in front of the Clippers’ wall with a chance to tie the game and possibly send it to overtime.

Jamal Murray missed the first free throw, hit the back of the rim on the second free throw, and then had to wait about 30 seconds due to a substitution before taking his third and final free throw to tie. That shot veered off the right side of the rim and rolled right to left, effectively giving the Clippers the win.

Jamal Murray vs. The Wall… missed the last of 3 free throws to tie and the Clippers won. pic.twitter.com/nFuWFgi1Gx

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 20 February 2026

“What was going through my mind?” When Kawhi Leonard was asked this question after the game, he repeated it. “Uh, I was just hoping he’d miss one, seriously, sh-t,” Kawhi Leonard said. “I mean, we were up by three, he dropped the first two, so really expected he would miss.”

Kawhi Leonard explains what was going through his mind during Jamal Murray’s game-tying free throws:

“I was just hoping he’d miss one, really, bullshit. I mean, we were up by three, he dropped the first two, so I was really hoping he’d miss.” https://t.co/BYVzOwVuLO pic.twitter.com/0oG8ybH6oS

-Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) 20 February 2026

Shooting 88.7 percent on the season, Jamal Murray has missed 11 free throws in clutch situations (defined as a five-point game in the final five minutes) this season. Murray is just 11-of-18 from the free throw line in the final minutes of games with a margin of three or fewer points this season.

Kawhi Leonard finished Thursday night’s game with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding four rebounds and three assists. The Clippers forward was clearly battling some type of cold or illness after the game, which is why Benedict Mathurin’s big performance was much needed.

In his third game with the LA Clippers, Mathurin scored 38 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. The 38-point performance is the most by a Clippers player in his home debut as well as the highest individual career performance for the fourth-year guard out of Arizona.

Speculation regarding Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers is beginning to resonate in familiar territory as the franchise approaches a pivotal offseason.

In the latest episode of Clutch Scoops, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel drew a comparison between Leonard’s current situation and the circumstances that led to him being traded from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors in 2018.

Siegel said, “I think if he’s still on the Clippers roster in the summer and his contract isn’t voided. He’ll be in the last year of his deal.” “I believe it’s worth $50.3 million dollars and no matter how old he is, as long as he’s healthy, it will be looked at like another scenario from when the Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors. He’s in the final year of his contract. He can still be a big part of a championship team.”

The 34-year-old Leonard has averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 41 games this season. He is shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three-point range and a career-high 91.2 percent from the free-throw line in 32.8 minutes per contest.

The Clippers were active at the trade deadline as they recalibrated their roster around Leonard. Los Angeles traded Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a future second-round selection.

. @TomerAzarly And @BrettSiegelNBA Live to talk NBA All-Stars, tanking problems + some early NBA offseason intel! https://t.co/duIKN4TFxL

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 19 February 2026

Clippers reshape roster at deadline as Kawhi Leonard’s offseason future is in jeopardy

In a separate move earlier in the trade cycle, the Clippers dealt James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland, signaling a broader shift toward reshaping their core while maintaining offensive firepower.

Siegel said that from a front office perspective, exploring a Leonard trade this summer could more closely align with the Clippers’ long-term vision.

“From a front office standpoint and if you’re looking at it through the lens of the Clippers’ future, it probably makes more sense to trade him in the offseason,” Siegel said.

Los Angeles entered Thursday at 26-28, tied for 10th in the Western Conference after bouncing back from a 6-21 start. The Clippers return to action following All-Star festivities when they host the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 pm PT.

With Leonard potentially entering the final year of his deal this summer, league observers will be monitoring whether the Clippers follow a similar path to the Spurs’ 2018 decision — a move that ultimately reshaped the championship landscape.

To say that Kawhi Leonard had a great performance during All-Star weekend would be an understatement. The Los Angeles Clippers key player finished with 31 points and the game-winning three-pointer, and seemed extremely satisfied with the new format after the proceedings.

According to a post on X by ClutchPoints, when asked if he liked the new format, he said, “Whatever you guys want. Whatever you know grabs consumer attention, I’m all for it.”

“Whatever you guys want. Man, same question. Whatever grabs the consumer’s attention, I’m all for it.”

Kawhi Leonard explained how entertaining the new All-Star Game format was 😅

(via @joeylinn_)pic.twitter.com/kwKecGThs6

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 16 February 2026

Not many people can question his performance. When fit and active, Leonard remains one of the best players in the league and arguably the best two-way player in the NBA.

And the same has been seen with the Clippers’ season so far. After a rough start for the Clippers, Leonard’s return to form has fueled a dramatic turnaround that has kept the team in the playoff conversation.

“When I play basketball I feel like I’m one of the best players,” he said, though he questioned the basis of the rankings.

“It’s for you guys. For me, I think it’s a rotation every day, every week. Because you guys are coming in scoring 50, playing great defensive games. And then the next night, someone else is going to shine. So, for me, the rankings are just based on maintaining the hype around the game,” Leonard said, clearly determined to continue his great form.

The 34-year-old is currently averaging 27.9 points, 2.1 steals (both career-highs), 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, and will be well aware that the Clippers count on him not only for contention, but also for postseason qualification. The Clippers currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference with a 26-28 record and need to build on their recent performance to overtake teams.

Kawhi Leonard turned the NBA All-Star Game into a one-man show. Fittingly, the Los Angeles Clippers star put on a show at his home arena.

Leonard exploded by scoring 23 points – including 15 straight in Game 3 of the USA vs. the World.

15 straight points. For 23 games.

Kawhi Leonard is going 😮

USA Stripes have taken a late lead… Watch here: https://t.co/uaP8VtXA3D https://t.co/yfD9LBTDHq pic.twitter.com/HAscoYGr39

– NBA (@NBA) 16 February 2026

Leonard had immediate reactions from on the field to the Internet.

“This is their field,” NBC Sports analyst and former All-Star Vince Carter said during the intermission period.

But the Internet was beside itself watching Leonard go on the scoring end.

Notable reactions to Kawhi Leonard’s breakout NBA All-Star performance

Fans quickly reacted to Leonard’s potentially Most Valuable Player performance — including bringing back another of his famous quotes.

Kawhi ends World Team campaign pic.twitter.com/iOu7lw8Iw3

– Olympic Zoom (@olympic_zoom) 16 February 2026

The Athletic responded by mentioning how previous All-Stars were not initially voted on by the coaches.

His team, the Clippers, also showered him with a lot of love – including writing his name in all caps.

Kawhi Anthony Leonard‼️ pic.twitter.com/n6U55CmQxG

– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) 16 February 2026

Leonard dropped 31 points through the new format – a supernatural feat in just 12 minutes. Sirius XM radio personality Rob Perez called it “one of the best All-Star performances you’ll see in a game where the players are really trying”.

Even Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban joined in the internet’s praise.

The NBA All Star is back. kawi vs wembi
🔥🔥🔥

– Mark Cuban (@mcuban) 16 February 2026

Leonard told NBA insider Chris Haynes that he expects this year’s celebration to be more competitive.

“It’s going to start with the starters, whoever gets there first,” Leonard told Haynes. “For me, personally, we need to get back to the way it was, and if guys are going to play hard, they’ll play hard. I think it will be competitive this year. I don’t know what the format is like. But hopefully, guys are competing. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star Game.”

It’s safe to say that he took the game seriously.