Tyronn Lue Reflects on Another Big Postseason Performance from @kawhisklawset! 🗣️

There’s something about the playoffs that brings out the best in Kawhi Leonard. And Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue knows it better than anyone. Following yet another vintage postseason performance from his superstar forward, Lue couldn’t help but sing Kawhi’s praises—both for what he brings on the court and who he is behind the scenes.

After the Clippers’ recent win, where Leonard dropped 34 points on efficient shooting while anchoring the defense, Lue stepped to the podium with a look of calm satisfaction. “That’s Kawhi,” he said with a smile. “This is what he does. When the lights are brightest, when it matters most—he shows up. Every time.”

Leonard’s latest outing was a masterclass in controlled dominance. He picked his spots, bulldozed smaller defenders, and calmly knocked down midrange jumper after midrange jumper, all while hounding the opposing team’s top scorer on the other end. It was the kind of two-way clinic that has defined his playoff legacy.

For Ty Lue, this performance was just another chapter in what he calls Kawhi’s “quiet storm” approach. “He doesn’t say much,” Lue noted. “But his game? It speaks volumes. That calm demeanor—don’t let it fool you. He’s a killer out there.”

Lue also emphasized how Kawhi’s presence settles the team. In tense moments, when the game slows down and every possession matters, Leonard becomes the Clippers’ anchor. “There’s a confidence we play with when he’s out there,” Lue said. “Guys feed off his energy—even if he doesn’t show it the traditional way. He leads with how he plays. That poise, that intensity—it sets the tone.”

This postseason, Leonard has been a model of efficiency, averaging 27+ points per game while shooting north of 50% from the field. But it’s not just about stats with Kawhi—it’s about timing. He seems to rise to the occasion every time the Clippers need a momentum-shifting bucket or a game-saving defensive stand.

Against a hungry and athletic opponent, Leonard took command in the second half. He scored 18 of his 34 points after the break, dissecting every defensive scheme thrown at him. Double-teams, traps, switches—it didn’t matter. Kawhi made the right read every time, whether it was a tough fadeaway, a smooth drive, or a kick-out to an open shooter.

“He doesn’t get rattled,” Lue said. “That’s what separates him. He’s seen every defense, every coverage. You can’t speed him up. You can’t scare him.”

Leonard’s resurgence in the postseason comes after seasons marred by injury and load management. But Lue was quick to defend the process. “We’ve been patient. We’ve taken care of him. And now you’re seeing why,” he said. “We’re getting peak Kawhi when it matters most.”

And peak Kawhi is exactly what the Clippers have needed. With Paul George and James Harden also stepping up, Leonard remains the focal point—the engine that makes the whole system go. Lue knows the margin for error in the playoffs is razor-thin, and having a player like Kawhi gives them the edge.

“He’s the most unbothered superstar I’ve ever coached,” Lue added. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing or what the situation is. He’s going to go out there, do his job, and do it at an elite level.”

With the series heating up and the competition getting tougher, Lue is confident that Kawhi will keep leading the way. “We’re built for this. And when we’ve got 2 on the floor, we believe we can beat anybody.”

So as the Clippers look to make a deep run, one thing is clear: @kawhisklawset is back in full form—and Tyronn Lue wouldn’t want it any other way. 🗣️🔥