Kawhi Leonard addressed Golden State’s defensive approach and late-game execution after the LA Clippers’ 126-121 loss to the Warriors in the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday at Intuit Dome.
Leonard pointed directly to Golden State’s pressure on his touches and physical coverage throughout the night.
“That was it right there,” Leonard said when asked about what limited his shot volume late. “They had a great game plan. Just being physical all game. Making sure I don’t get no catch and shoot shots. Listening every pick and roll. Getting in the post seeing two bodies.”
He also highlighted the impact of veteran defender Draymond Green in controlling possessions.
“And then Draymond, Hall of Fame defender,” Leonard said. “So yeah, it was hard to even get shots up.”
Leonard finished with 21 points as Golden State tightened its coverage in the fourth quarter, limiting him until the final seconds of the game.
The Warriors erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter and closed the game on a 16-6 run, with Stephen Curry scoring 35 points, including 27 in the second half.
Golden State’s defensive structure focused on forcing secondary options, particularly during pick-and-roll actions involving Leonard.
“They had a great game plan,” Leonard said. “Just being physical all game.”
He also acknowledged the Clippers’ late-game breakdown as the Warriors surged.
“It happens throughout the whole season,” Leonard said. “We’ve lost games like that before. We won games like that before.”
He added that Golden State’s experience in high-pressure moments played a decisive role.
“So like I said before the Warriors got championship pedigree over there,” Leonard said. “Steph Curry came in knocking down shots. Al Horford getting big shots in transition. They played great defense and they won the game. They deserve it.”
Leonard noted that Los Angeles briefly controlled momentum late before the finish slipped away.
“We were up 13 with 9 to go,” Leonard said. “About an 84% chance of winning that game with about three and a half to go.”
He attributed the swing to a mix of turnovers and defensive lapses in the final stretch.
“We need better defense and you can’t win games like that,” Leonard said. “They scored 43 points in the fourth quarter.”
The Clippers were forced into half-court possessions under heavy pressure, struggling to generate clean looks as Golden State’s switching and trapping intensified.
Leonard also referenced the team’s short preparation window and limited continuity in late-game situations.
“We just haven’t had the time and the practice time to really go over those late game situations,” Leonard said.
Despite the collapse, he emphasized the team’s effort across a turbulent season that ended outside the playoff bracket.
“We just kept fighting,” Leonard said. “We fought hard. Everybody here loves to play basketball. They’re competitive. They love to hoop.”
Golden State now advances to face Phoenix for a chance to reach the first round against Oklahoma City, while the Clippers exit after surrendering one of the most significant fourth-quarter leads of the play-in round.
