Kawhi Leonard addressed the Los Angeles Clippers’ heartbreaking 101-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their series, emphasizing the team’s resilience despite falling short on a last-second play.
The Clippers battled back from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but the game ended with a historic buzzer-beating dunk from Aaron Gordon. Leonard acknowledged the challenge of losing after such a strong comeback. “It was tough, but you know, I’m glad we fought,” Leonard said. “Down by 20 in that fourth quarter, to be able to keep fighting and rally back… it’s the NBA. They made a great play.”
Throughout the game, the Clippers struggled with physicality and intensity, especially in the early stages. Leonard, as the team’s leader, maintained focus. “Just keep fighting, get to our spots, and trust one another,” Leonard explained. “But you got to give them credit, they played a great game. Jokic led them all night.”
Nikola Jokic’s performance was a defining factor in Denver’s lead. In the third quarter alone, the Nuggets’ star made six baskets, while the Clippers’ offense managed only five. “Him being an MVP player, getting to his spots, making shots… you’ve got to give him credit,” Leonard stated. “It’s the playoffs. It’s how it goes sometimes.”
With the series now tied at 2-2, the Clippers remain optimistic. Leonard brushed off the idea of looking back at what could have been, instead focusing on the road ahead. “It’s still a series, best of three, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
The Clippers also found success in switching to a zone defense during the fourth quarter, which played a key role in their comeback. “We’ve been playing man all series; this was probably the first time they saw us in that zone,” Leonard explained. “It helped us get turnovers, easy baskets, and it got us back in the game.”
Despite the tough loss, Leonard praised his team’s fight. “I’m proud to see my teammates still battling in those moments,” he added. “It’ll give us a good chance to look at film and see what we did right in those last minutes and what we did wrong in the beginning.”
Looking ahead, Leonard sees the next game as a chance for the Clippers to build on their resilience. “We’ve got to keep going,” he concluded.
The Nuggets now lead the series 2-2, with Game 5 set for Monday in Denver. With both teams tied, the stakes are high as they look to seize control of the series.
