Kawhi Leonard Disappointed By Clippers' Defeat To Nuggets In Game 7

Kawhi Leonard expressed that the Denver Nuggets were not significantly superior to the Los Angeles Clippers, despite their 120-101 victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series. Leonard, who scored 22 points for Los Angeles, acknowledged that his team could have performed better. The Clippers struggled as the Nuggets launched a decisive 17-0 run in the third quarter.

Leonard remarked, "I think we could have given a better effort, for sure. At the time, I don't think this team was 30 points better than this." He highlighted that throughout the first six games, both teams were competitive. However, he credited the Nuggets for their strong performance and ability to score easily in transition.

Leonard Disappointed by Clippers' Playoff Exit

The Clippers entered the NBA Playoffs as one of the league's strongest teams, having won 18 out of their last 21 regular-season games. Despite this momentum, they faltered in three of the final four games against Denver. This disappointing end marked a frustrating conclusion to a season where they secured 50 wins but ultimately fell short of expectations.

Reflecting on their journey, Leonard stated, "I guess we just did a good job during the season. I guess you guys said a lot of people counted us out, but we were able to get here." However, he emphasized that merely reaching this stage was not their ultimate goal.

Leonard faced personal challenges throughout the season due to an ongoing right-knee injury from last year. This injury also prevented him from joining the United States' gold-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympic Games. Despite these setbacks, Leonard remains under contract with the Clippers until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Looking ahead, Leonard is optimistic about starting training camp and beginning next season without health concerns. He expressed relief over his current health status but admitted that the recent loss still weighs heavily on his mind. "I'll be able to you know start a training camp and be able to start the season," Leonard noted, while expressing disappointment over not achieving a better outcome against Denver.