‘It’s always negative…just because of something he can’t control,’ James Harden didn’t mince words defending Kawhi Leonard after Game 2—finally shining a spotlight on the superstar’s playoff brilliance. Leonard’s 39‑point clinic forced the league to reconvene its narrative—no longer just ‘injury‑prone’ but ‘clutch two-way mastermind. Harden’s public defense marks the moment Kawhi’s legacy was finally reclaimed.
After the game, James Harden had Kawhi’s back. He said people don’t give Leonard nearly enough credit and that there’s way too much focus on his injuries and what he can’t do. Harden pointed out that most of the criticism is out of Kawhi’s control anyway, saying, “Not even a little bit, it’s always negative. It’s always what he’s been through and what he’s not able to do. Just because of something he can’t control.” speaking on the unfair treatment given his injury riddled past. That sentiment carried over to late‑night TV.
Recently, on the Nightcap Podcast, Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson, and Joe Johnson were in discussion about the recent playoff match. Joe Johnson weighed in saying, “Man, they can say what they want to say about Kawhi, that boy out there during the playoffs, he make it happen, man….. He look good tonight. He don’t look like he out of shape, he looks like a guy who’s in elite shape, and he’s ready to go.”
Joe Johnson remarked on Kawhi Leonard’s performance against the Clippers. And why wouldn’t he? Kawhi looked like a man possessed, he ended the game with 39 points and a high shooting percentage of 78.9%. Although he missed four shots, his efficiency helped a lot in bringing the series to 1-1.
With the first two games out of the way, the playoff series is shaping up to be a nailbiter, with the series drawn 1-1. Now, with Kawhi revitalized and James Harden playing like he’s in his prime again, it’s looking like the Clippers could pose a massive threat to the Nuggets and Jokic. Let us see what might transpire.
Clippers vs. Nuggets: What Game 3 Could Ignite in This Chess Match
Heading into Game 3, this series is crackling with strategic tension. The Clippers’ Game 2 win in Denver was a momentum shift. And if that carries over, buckle up, because this series is about to tilt in fascinating ways.
First off, Kawhi Leonard is playing like a guy who’s heard every narrative about his injuries and is ready to silence them. That 39-point masterclass? Sure. But it’s his defense that’s dictating tempo. He’s switching everything, blowing up pick-and-rolls, and making life miserable for Denver’s perimeter threats. With 2.5 steals per game, he’s showing his elite ability to disrupt passing lanes, and he recorded a crucial late-game steal in Game 2, tipping the scales in the favor of the Clippers. That defensive display caught the Nuggets off guard, too.
But let’s talk Jokic. He’s still the best player in this series, but L.A. is making him work every possession. They’re daring him to score while jamming his vision. Zubac’s physicality is real, and those 7 turnovers in Game 2 aren’t flukes. The Clippers want Jokic to wear the cape and carry the team, and if Denver’s bench keeps putting up 18-point nights, he might not survive the weight.
Image Credits: Imagn
Then there’s Harden, who’s looking eerily like Houston Harden, crafty, surgical, and locked in. His pick-and-roll chemistry with Zubac is exploiting Denver’s soft spots. You trap him? He finds the open man. You go under the screen? He buried the three 41.7% in his series. It’s a puzzle the Nuggets haven’t solved.
Looking ahead, Game 3 in L.A. could be the swing moment. If the Clippers’ defense keeps bottling up Jamal Murray, who’s clearly not 100%, Denver’s offense becomes one-dimensional. And if MPJ isn’t physically right? That’s a massive spacing issue.
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