With the shot clock ticking down late in Monday’s win, Kawhi Leonard sized up John Collins, took a little jab step, and, in rhythm, launched a 3-pointer over the Atlanta Hawks’ 6-foot-9 power forward.
The shot’s trajectory was true; the well-rehearsed sequence was pure Leonard.
Except that the Clippers’ famously stoic superstar began a confident backpedal before the shot finished its descent. And then, when it splashed through, extending the lead to 116-108, Leonard seemed momentarily to forget himself, spinning ’round, tongue wagging, arms dangling as he went sashaying toward a tangle of high fives from his teammates on the bench.
It was a rare flash of showmanship, an atypical demonstration of emotion that reflected the moment – the Clippers had been rescued from a 21-point third-quarter deficit by Luke Kennard, Terance Mann and three other bench players who energized Staples Center with their willful, opportunistic effort in the 119-110 comeback victory.
It was, perhaps, the sort of enthusiasm that would benefit the Clippers were they to bottle it and imbibe again in San Antonio on Wednesday and Thursday, and further on down the line.
“I just think the guys (saw) how we gotta play, how we gotta attack and approach every single game,” Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue said. “We can’t let missed shots determine how we’re gonna play on a night-to-night basis, and so I think Kawhi saw what those young guys did, and what they was able to do in that short stretch, and him and (Paul George) came in with a lot of life, a lot of pop, and they attacked and made the plays.
“It was just something that I think Kawhi and PG thought to themselves: They didn’t want to let the young guys down after having a performance like that.”
Clutch bucket.
pic.twitter.com/46chdQ3kU3
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 23, 2021
Indeed not, Leonard said.
“You see a teammate dive on the floor, just giving their all, it inspires you to do the same thing,” he said. “And that’s what they did. They were just still competing, running hard and things happened for them.”
One of those young guys suggested that the key to their desired consistency is to try to avoid any sort of letdown going forward.
“I think we realized tonight – or actually the past few games – that energy is one thing that works for us,” said Mann, the versatile 24-year-old who scored a season-high 21 points, including a career-best 11 in a fourth quarter when he took it to the rim for four of his five buckets – the fifth was the go-ahead 3-pointer.
“When we’re out there playing with a lot of energy, playing hard, making hustle plays, rebounding the ball, showing personality, things like that I think helps us,” Mann added. “Today was a good test for us and it kind of opened up our eyes.”
READY ROLE PLAYER
The word problem Clippers fans are working through this season goes like this: Kennard, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension before the season, is averaging a career-low 19.5 minutes per game. He’s shooting 49.4% from the field and a 47.7% from 3-point range, both career highs. What does he need to do to get more minutes?
Anyone who wrote down: Come off the bench to spark a big comeback by shooting 8 for 8 for 20 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and a block, well, you might be right.
Kennard certainly passed Monday’s test, but Lue couldn’t bring himself to commit explicitly to carving out more time for the 24-year-old guard.
“I am so happy for Luke Kennard just staying ready, the way he’s performed the last four games he’s played,” Lue said. “He’s definitely earned – he’s earned something.”
Kennard said he’s philosophical about his role, insisting he isn’t stressing about playing time and that he can contribute on the court and off.
“For me, it’s not trying to fight somebody for minutes or anything like that,” he said. “It’s just staying ready. We have a good team, we have a deep team, guys that can play, and we have a lot of different combinations that we can use.
“I trust our coaching staff, I trust what we’re doing, I trust our entire team. I’m not trying to fight anybody for minutes, trying to earn something. I’m playing basketball, I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing, working hard, and trying to help us win in any way I can. If I am not playing, I have been cheering on the sideline, getting us going, talking to everybody and just staying ready.”
Looking ahead, Leonard said that’s exactly what the Clippers need from Kennard, for him to do what he did Monday: Stay primed to give his teammates a lift when they need it most.
“It’s a long season,” Leonard said. “Even if you don’t play in the regular season, you might have a spark in the playoffs and might win a series.”
CLIPPERS (28-16) at SPURS (22-18)
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio
TV: Fox Sports Prime Ticket
“For me, it’s not trying to fight somebody for minutes. It’s just staying ready. Whoever is in there, we have a good team, a deep team. I trust our coaching staff, I trust what we’re doing, I trust our entire team.”
Luke Kennard on earning more minutes with his play. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/kl00v9Ajmx
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 23, 2021
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