The Los Angeles Clippers got one of their franchise cornerstones back on the court on Monday night as they took on the Miami Heat in Miami.
Kawhi Leonard was sidelined for the past four-games due to a left hip contusion, but was able to help the Clippers defeat the Heat 121-104 on Monday.
Leonard chipped in 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in the victory.
“You see the performance,” Clippers point guard James Harden said of Leonard, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “Both ends of the ball, just elite. Shotmaking, defensively, just being active, creating opportunities in transition. We needed that, [for Leonard] to get well and get better. We missed him.”
“It’s great to have 2 back in the lineup,” Clippers guard Paul George said. “He does all the little intangible stuff. It’s just so reliable. But he missed I think a little over a week. It was going to take a little time for him to catch his rhythm, but I thought he did and looked like himself.”
“He’s one of the winningest players in league history during the regular season,” Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said of Leonard prior to tip-off. “So if he’s healthy, he’s out there, he puts his team in a position to win… They’ve gotten their bleep together for the time being.”
