Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George talk to the media, after making a comeback from 0-2 to win the series 4-3 against the Mavericks
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‘The Los Angeles Clippers are frauds!’ ‘The Clippers only show up in the regular season!’ There was all this noise surrounding the Clippers camp as they kicked off their playoffs with two consecutive losses at home. On the road, the Clippers handled their business and tied the series 2 apiece before coming back home. After losing Game 5 at home, they once again went on the road and forced a Game 7. Coming home, they had the curse of the home team to break, and a series to win.
The Clippers beat the Mavericks 126-111, and for the first home team to win at home in this series. It was a big team win, as multiple players rose to the occasion. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Paul George had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. Marcus Morris Sr. added 23 points while shooting 7/9 from beyond the arc.
Kawhi Leonard answers to the press the only way he knows best
Kawhi Leonard is a ‘fun guy’. He’s known to keep his nerves calm and focus on delivering when needed the most. Even though he failed to do so in Game 5, he redeemed himself in Games 6 & 7. Kawhi is no stranger to the pressures of a Game 7. He knows what’s needed of him when the going gets tough, and he delivers.
After the game, Kawhi spoke with the media and was asked about how he handles Game 7 pressures.
“Just because you played great in 9 Game 7’s doesn’t mean you’re gonna play great in Game 10 and vice versa. Sometimes when you’re overconfident you play bad, when you’re down on yourself, you play good. For me, it’s about focusing on that moment.”
– Kawhi Leonard. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/5lxaYpx6Sy
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 6, 2021
Kawhi also spoke about what changed after the initial losses, and how the Clippers turned things around. Kawhi replied, and said,
“I think just as we watched film and we seen that we were leaving each other on an island. Mainly on the defensive end, nobody’s really selfish on the offensive end on this team. That’s up to me and PG and play-makers on the offensive end not to be selfish because you feel like you’ve got to do it all. But these games are not won with just one or two great players; you need a whole 17 or 16 players that you have, guys on the bench clamoring, letting you know what’s going on and you know the rotation players. You know, I think we had trust at the beginning, but we just had to dial in on what we were doing.”
With Luka Doncic and the Mavs in the rear-view, the Clippers head to Utah to take on the Jazz.