The Los Angeles Clippers are now a legitimate part of the playoff picture in the Western Conference after a late season surge including wins over the Heat, Hornets, Grizzlies, Cavaliers and others in recent weeks.
Coach Tyronn Lue's team no longer fears its competition in a jam-packed Western Conference, especially considering the recent play of its franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard led the Clips with 25 points on Sunday in a narrow 103-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder prompting a "shocked" take from longtime ESPN commentator Bill Simmons on how Leonard looked in person and why it should matter to his opponents the rest of the way.
"Went to an awesome Clips/Thunder game tonight," Simmons said on X.
"I gotta say...Kawhi looks terrific in person. It's kind of shocking. The Clippers need to be taken seriously as a playoff spoiler if he's healthy.
"They're good," Simmons, a longtime critic of the Clippers franchise, said in his post.
Leonard led the Clippers to a win over the East's top seed the Cleveland Cavaliers this past week in a 33-point effort, sparking optimism for better days ahead for Los Angeles' "other" NBA team.
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This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 4:32 AM.