“The Job’s not done yet”: Kawhi Leonard channels his inner Kobe Bryant as Clippers tie the series at two apiece

Tonoy Sengupta | 31/05/2021
"The Job's not done yet": Kawhi Leonard channels his inner Kobe Bryant as Clippers tie the series at two apiece

Kawhi Leonard gives a Kobe-like reaction to the Clippers cutting down the Mavericks’ 2-0 series lead with a blowout win in Game 4

Heading to Dallas, Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers were the center of media attention. It wasn’t for the right reasons. At the start of the season, the Clippers were expected to make the Conference Finals. However, once they lost the first two games, the Mavericks looked like the better team. Kawhi and co. changed the narrative after the two games in Dallas. Kawhi had a cool 29 points and 10 rebounds, on 73.3% from the field, and 66.7% from beyond the arc. His co-star Paul George didn’t have a bad night either. PG scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds during this game, and shot 50% from three.

Also Read: “Watched Draymond Green and Boris Diaw to prepare for Mavericks”: Nicolas Batum reveals how he learnt defensive principles from the Warriors’ DPOY for Game 4 vs Luka Doncic

On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks just couldn’t get it going during this game. The team shot just 34.8% from the field, and 16.7% from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic in particular had an awful night. The star only had 19 points during this game. His efficiency was perhaps one of his worst ever, at 37.5% from the field, and 14.3% from deep. His back injury may be taking too much of an effect after all.

Kawhi Leonard highlights that there is still work to be done for the LA Clippers against the Dallas Mavericks

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George rallied hard to get both the games in Dallas and tie up the series. To pull off this task against a very good Dallas team is frankly huge.

During the post-game interview, when Kawhi Leonard was asked about his thoughts on the game, his response almost made it seem like really, nothing had happened. His answer was almost striking similar to Kobe Bryant’s reaction in the 2009 Finals.

Also Read: Lakers fans aghast after Finals MVP gives up down the stretch of Game 4 vs Chris Paul’s Suns at Staples Center

His response here is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s legendary postgame interview in the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. And as countless fans know, the Lakers would go on to win the ring that year.

So the question stands. Will the Clippers enjoy similar success in this series? Or will the Mavericks have a say in the matter once again?

Post Edited By: Raahib Singh
Dallas Mavericks Kawhi Leonard la clippers Luka Doncic NBA NBA playoffs Paul George Tim Hardaway Jr

About the author

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta is a Senior Editor at The SportsRush. Coming from an athletically inclined family, he has been surrounded by sports ever since he was 4 years old. But, while initially pouring all his time into Football (soccer), at 14, Tonoy discovered basketball through the countless highlights of Stephen Curry humiliating players from Curry Land. And just like that, a fiery passion for the game was ignited within Tonoy. And soon after, he decided to become a student of journalism, graduating in 2022, and choosing sports as his area of interest. Today, you can find him spending 99% of his time browsing through every type of content on every team in the NBA, before uncorking everything he has found to the world. In the 1% he isn't doing this, you can find him playing Basketball, Football, Volleyball, or practically any other sport he has had the opportunity to learn.

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