The Los Angeles Clippers lost Game 2 of their first round series to the Mavericks 127-114. The game was marked by an airball from Paul George, met by a nonplussed reaction from Kawhi.
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All NBA fans know by now that Kawhi Leonard is borderline expressionless on the basketball court. The most emotion we’ve ever seen from him was probably after the Raptors finished their championship run last summer. Or after his incredible game-winner against the Sixers.
Despite him assuring us all that he’s a ‘fun guy’, it’s hard for us fans to take the Klaw at face value. ‘Kawhi is a robot’ jokes are all over NBA Twitter and the Reddit NBA page. Fans just love the way he goes about the game, keeping the tantrums at a minimum. Leonard may be the least fussy superstar to ever lead an NBA team to a championship.
Also Read: Kawhi Leonard stares at iPad home screen to avoid human interaction; becomes a meme trend
Kawhi was taking a well-earned rest on the bench at the closing stages of the 3rd quarter when Paul George took one of the worst shots of his career. With the Clippers down only 5 and 15 seconds left on the shot clock, George took a step-back three that was inches away from the rim.
Kawhi Leonard after Paul George’s airball vs Mavs
If George had had more patience, or just generated a better shot, he could have made it a one-possession game. But he blew the opportunity big time, and his expression reveals his disappointment.
Paul George’s face after the airball. 🤣💀 pic.twitter.com/j7yE3APDyq
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 20, 2020
Kawhi’s reaction at the end of the clip is just another addition to a career filled with such moments. While other players may have remonstrated with much more fuss, Kawhi seemed to give a thousand-yard stare. He definitely didn’t seem fazed by the quality of the shot.
But this was the closest the Clippers got to taking a lead in the second half. The Mavericks went on a run to close the 3rd quarter, and they didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal after that.
