Kawhi Leonard just sent a clear message to the Western Conference. The Clippers rode his scorching 45 points to a 118 to 101 win over the Jazz on New Year’s night. I watched him control the pace, set the tone, and shut the door. It was cold outside. Inside, it was a heater. 🔥
This was not empty scoring. Leonard added seven rebounds and drilled six threes. He hunted the right matchups, stayed balanced, and kept the floor spaced. The result was a comfortable win that felt bigger than one game.
The Night Kawhi Took Over
Leonard’s rhythm popped from the start. He got to his spots in the midrange. He rose off balance and still stayed square. When the Jazz sagged, he punished them from deep. When they pressed, he bullied his way to the paint.
The shot mix told the story. Pull up jumpers. Catch and shoot threes. Strong finishes through contact. He read the coverage, then made the simple play. That is what elite scorers do when the game slows down and the lights are bright.
His leadership mattered too. Teammates fed off his calm. He talked through switches, pointed guys to corners, and kept the pace steady. The Clippers looked organized, not rushed. When the Jazz made small runs, Leonard answered with clean, no drama buckets. That steadiness is why this club trusts him when it gets loud.
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Final: Clippers 118, Jazz 101. Kawhi Leonard 45 points, 7 rebounds, 6 made threes.
How the Clippers Broke the Game Open
Los Angeles won the math and the margins. Threes fell, free throws came in steady, and the glass stayed even or better. The defense pinched the middle, then closed out to shooters with discipline. Utah had to work for clean looks. Work turned into missed shots and late-clock heaves.
- Paint protection, early help at the nail, then sharp rotations to the corners
- Smart pace, running off stops without forcing bad takes
- Second chance control, gang rebounding from the wings
- Bench minutes that held the line, energy without turnovers
The Jazz tried to mix coverages. Traps at the elbows, switches late in the clock, even a touch of zone. None of it stuck for long. The Clippers moved the ball, cut behind the pressure, and kept the floor balanced. When opponents overreact to Leonard, the weak side opens. Los Angeles used it.
What It Means for Los Angeles
This is the blueprint. Defend, rebound, take care of the ball, then let Kawhi close. It sounds simple. It is not. It takes buy in from everyone on the floor. It takes trust in late game execution. Tonight, that trust looked strong.
Leonard’s health and rhythm matter more than anything. His lift looked clean. His base looked strong. He got through traffic, absorbed bumps, and looked fresh late. If this version of Kawhi holds, the Clippers’ ceiling rises with it. The West is crowded. Edges matter. A two way star who can win a game with shot making is the biggest edge in basketball.
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This is the version of the Clippers that wins in spring, calm pace, clean spacing, and a ruthless closer.
Jazz Checkpoint
Utah will see a lot to learn from this one. The plan to crowd Leonard at the elbows did not bother him. Help arrived a beat late, which left corners open. When the Jazz chased over the top, he stepped into threes. When they switched smaller wings, he went to the block and punished size mismatches.
This group has toughness and length, but the details slipped. Closeouts came too hot, then drives opened the lane. Rim resistance faded as the game wore on. The next step is sharper communication and earlier help without giving up the corners. Offensively, they needed more paint touches to bend the defense. More drives, more cuts behind the ball, more easy points. That would have kept the pressure on.
There were bright spots. Utah competed on the boards for long stretches. They ran hard after makes and tried to steal quick points before the Clippers set the wall. The effort was there. The execution needs to catch up to the effort against top tier stars.
The Bottom Line
The Clippers did not just win. They announced where they want to go. Leonard looked like a superstar in full control, scoring at all three levels and dictating every key moment. The defense held shape. The offense stayed patient and ruthless. That is contender basketball.
New year, new tone. If Kawhi keeps this edge, Los Angeles will carry it into the heart of the season, and deep into the games that matter most. 🏀
