The Los Angeles Clippers were already down one star player in Paul George, but the Clippers managed to get a split in Phoenix 1-1. Home court advantage on their side and Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena, but they would be undermanned even more. Surprisingly, superstar Kawhi Leonard would not suit up for Game 3.
Despite the efforts from Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell, they Clippers fell short to the Phoenix Suns 129-124. Powell scored a game high 42 points and Westbrook had 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists. Bones Hyland came off the bench with 20 points. These performances have made people thinking that if Kawhi played the outcome would be different.
Nevertheless, the Clippers are down 2-1 and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had some strong words about Kawhi Leonard on First Take.
"Kawhi Leonard should be on the list of one of the worst superstars this game has ever seen!"
That was a huge statement to make about a two-time Finals MVP, but Stephen A. Smith opened his take by going back to 2019 when Leonard played for the Toronto Raptors that year.
"If you remember in 2019, Kawhi Leonard played all 24 postseason games for the Toronto Raptors. Since that time, Kawhi Leonard has played 26 total playoff games for the Clippers."
It's not Leonard's game for Stephen A. Smith to say since a strong statement. As mentioned earlier Leonard is a two-time Finals MVP. Leonard plays better in postseason than the regular games and that's the problem. In four seasons with the Clippers including this season Leonard has played a total of 26 postseason games.
This includes Game 1 of this series with the Phoenix Suns when Leonard went for 38 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in win in Phoenix. In Game 2, Leonard scored 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in a loss.
Back to what Stephen A. Smith on First Take, he a step further.
"I would choice Kyrie Irving over Kawhi Leonard for the playoffs."
If you have been following Stephen A. Smith, then you know how big this take is.
Nevertheless, the problem will continue as the Clippers Friday evening that Kawhi Leonard will miss Game 4 on Saturday afternoon which gives the Suns a prime opportunity to take full control of this series.