Kawhi Leonard emphasized preparation and discipline as the Los Angeles Clippers gear up to face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Leonard, who played in just 37 games during the regular season, said the Clippers are approaching Saturday’s Game 1 at Ball Arena with a unified mindset and focus on execution.
“We’re starting out on the road against a good playoff team,” Leonard said. “It’s just about communicating and making sure we execute.”
The 33-year-old forward averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season, while Denver’s Jokic posted 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game.
Leonard noted that the Clippers’ strong finish to the regular season helped build the right habits heading into the postseason.
“We pretty much needed to win almost all of those games,” he said. “That experience could kind of roll over into the series.”
Denver secured homecourt advantage by finishing fourth in the West with a 50-32 record, while Los Angeles entered as the fifth seed with an identical mark but lost the tiebreaker.
When asked about the challenge of defending Jokic, Leonard acknowledged the complexity of guarding a versatile player with elite passing and scoring ability.
“You can’t play the game perfect,” Leonard said. “Whatever way you guard him, he’s going to try to execute.”
Leonard has won two NBA titles and remains one of the league’s most dependable playoff performers.
He credited his motivation to a pure love for the game and a competitive drive that intensifies during the postseason.
“Now it’s four to seven games max, so I just leave it all out there on the floor,” he said.
The Clippers forward also addressed his physical condition, stating he feels grateful to be healthy entering the playoffs.
“My teammates did a great job down that last stretch,” Leonard said. “I just don’t take the opportunity for granted.”
The Clippers, who ranked fifth in defensive rating and allowed just 108.2 points per game, will look to slow a Nuggets offense that averaged 120.8 points, the second-highest in the West.
Leonard said the team’s practice sessions this week were focused on execution and preparation for Denver’s offensive triggers.
“We’re focused on them—what they do well on offense and defense—and seeing what we can do to counter those,” he said.
Game 1 tips off Saturday night in Denver.
