“Harden had his arm before Kawhi pushed off”: Kawhi Leonard, Head Coach Tyronn Lue react to James Harden’s flop that cost the Clippers the game

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and Head Coach Tyronn Lue talk about the offensive foul called on the 2-time Finals MVP in the closing moments.

The Los Angeles Clippers fell 112-108 short to a Kevin Durant-less Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. It was a game where the Clippers made a climb back, after being down 10 to start the final period, and to come as close as 2 points.

However, a defensive ‘play’ by James Harden on Kawhi Leonard’s drive sealed the deal for the Nets.

Offensive foul on Kawhi Leonard or flop by James Harden?pic.twitter.com/HUSk82kVO6

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 22, 2021

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Leonard drove to the basket, with 10 seconds on the clock, and the Clippers trailing 110-108. From the clip, it can be seen that Harden held Leonard’s hand, and as he finished, Kawhi expected an and-1. However, because of James Harden flopping, the call was an offensive foul. Leonard wanted to challenge the same, but the Clippers had lost their challenge earlier in the quarter.

Kawhi Leonard, Tyronn Lue react to the James Harden flop

Kawhi Leonard, being true to his nature, did not have much to talk about the final play. When asked about the same, Leonard said:

“You know, my take from it is if we gonna pretty much play bull ball at the end of the game, let both sides play it, but they didn’t call it, so good defense. I got grabbed early, but like I said no call, so great defense.”

Kawhi Leonard took one question tonight: mine about the offensive foul. Here’s what he said:

“My take from it is we’re gonna play bully ball at the end of the game, let it go both ways. But they didn’t call it, so good defense.”

He then said, ‘Alright,’ got up, and left. pic.twitter.com/1aBymwNvDW

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 22, 2021

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Leonard had a 29 point, 12 rebound performance for the night, but ultimately he fell short. Coach Ty Lue, when asked about the same play, did not talk a lot, but gave more than Kawhi did. He said:

“They called it. Nothing we can do about it now. I’m not a big complain guy. Some guy said Harden had his arm before Kawhi was able to push off… It is what it is.”

“They called it. Nothing we can do about it now. I’m not a big complain guy. Some guy said Harden had his arm before Kawhi was able to push off… It is what it is.”

Tyronn Lue on the James Harden flop on Kawhi Leonard late in the game. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/OMhPNcmEv7

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 22, 2021

The Clippers would play the Wizards next on Tuesday to complete their homestand, as they leave for a 5 game road trip till the All-Star break.

The Nets head back home, after a 5-0 road trip in the West, where they went up without KD in 4 out of those 5 contests. They face the Kings next on Tuesday.