The Clippers showcased a valiant effort against the Suns in Game 3, despite being down their two stars—Paul George and Kawhi Leonard—in a 129–124 loss on Thursday night.
Prior to Leonard being ruled out for Game 3, the Clippers star had been a catalyst for the franchise’s confidence and the key reason that many envisioned a deep postseason run for the team. Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and six assists through the first two games of the first-round series.
Down 2–1 in the best-of-seven series, Los Angeles will seek to steal Game 4 in the friendly confines of Crypto.com Arena. However, the Clippers will be without George and Leonard could be sidelined from Saturday’s matchup, something that prompted a classic take from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on First Take on Friday.
Smith argued that Leonard should be on the list of “one of the worst superstars” the NBA has ever seen, citing his lack of availability in the postseason in recent years and his “load management” during the regular season.
“… It’s a damn shame that this man [Kawhi Leonard] is who they have to rely on,” Smith said to ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins on the show. “Anybody that watches basketball obviously knows I am not talking about his skills. … We know that as a talent, he is a superstar… one who shows up when he plays, performs in the postseason arguably better than he performs in the regular season.
“But when you talk about a superstar who is unreliable, I want somebody to point me out somebody more flagrant than him.”
Kawhi Leonard should be on the list of one of the worst superstars this game has ever seen pic.twitter.com/t5L12zdGQA
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 21, 2023
During the Raptors’ NBA title run in 2019, Leonard played in all 24 of Toronto’s games. Since then, Leonard has played in 26 total playoff games for the Clippers, dating back to the 2019–20 season.
Leonard, who sprained his right knee that he aggravated at the end of Game 1 last Sunday, missed the entire 2021–22 season while recovering from surgery for a torn right ACL.
