So, you know how sometimes you’re watching a game and it feels like one dude is just… I don’t know, on a different level? That’s kind of the vibe with Kawhi Leonard right now. Like, the dude just threw down 39 points out of nowhere, as if dropping buckets was like breathing air. This all went down as the Los Angeles Clippers managed to tie things up in their playoff saga against the Denver Nuggets, ending up with a tight 105-102 victory. It was one of those nail-biters — you know, the ones where you suddenly realize you’ve been chewing on your sweater sleeve?
Kawhi, at 33 years old, was like, “No big deal” as he nailed 15 out of 19 shots. Makes you wonder… was there something magical in his pre-game burrito? This was all happening after the Clippers had a heartbreak hotel moment with an overtime loss in game one. Nobody likes a comeback more than these guys, apparently.
Anyway, there was this pretty intense moment when it seemed like the Nuggets were about to force another overtime. Christian Braun had a three-point shot — I mean, my heart stopped for like half a second — but it bounced like the universe just wasn’t on their side. Nikola Jokic tried to scoop up the rebound, but nope, not tonight.
Then you’ve got James Harden, who can’t stop singing praises for Kawhi. Says it felt like Kawhi couldn’t miss if you paid him. “That’s the aggressiveness we need from him,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who’s trying to stop him because he’s just, boom, locking into his zone.” Honestly, that’s the kind of teammate hype everyone needs in their life.
And Clippers’ coach Tyronn Lue chimed in too, talking about how this is kind of Kawhi’s jam — performing when it counts. “Healthy Kawhi is our ticket,” he basically said. Made me wonder if they have a shrine to Kawhi in the locker room or something.
On the other side, Jokic was no slouch himself — he grabbed 26 points, with 12 rebounds and 10 assists thrown in for good measure. Jamal Murray added a respectable 23 points, so it’s not like the Nuggets didn’t show up. But, as it often goes with these games, it just wasn’t their night.
Let’s mark calendars or whatever because the third game is set for April 25th. If it’s anything like this one, I’ll probably need to stock up on more snacks and maybe some stress balls. Who knew basketball could make you feel alive and on the brink of a meltdown at the same time?
