TAMPA, FLORIDA – MAY 11: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clipperslooks to pass during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on May 11, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Kawhi Leonard tied his playoff career-high with 45 points to send the Los Angeles Clippers home for Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Kawhi Leonard is an all-time great playoff performer.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP came up with his biggest game of the year just when the Los Angeles Clippers needed it the most. Facing elimination, Leonard scored 29 of his 45 points in the second half to carry the Clippers to a 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Friday’s Game 6. He made 18 of his 25 shots on the night, including 5-of-9 from three-point range.
It was just one of those nights where you could tell Leonard would do whatever it took to will his team to victory.
NBA fans were in awe of Leonard’s latest playoff scoring outburst. Here’s a snippet of the reactions on NBA Twitter.
Leonard sends Clippers-Mav to Game 7 with 45-point performance
Leonard hit shot after shot down the stretch to ensure there was no chance of Luka Doncic‘s late-game heroics.
Notably, for the first time in NBA history, the road team has won each of the first six games of a series.
Leonard’s previous 45-point playoff game came on April 27, 2019, when he led the Toronto Raptors to a Game 1 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. That series ended with “The Shot” A.K.A. the first Game 7 series-winning buzzer-beater in NBA history.
Thanks to Leonard’s clutch gene, the Mavs and Clippers are heading back to Los Angeles for a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.